Only three KP1M humanitarian mission participants allowed to proceed to Rafah

The Egyptian military has allowed only three volunteers of the 1Malaysia Putera Club (KP1M) Humanitarian Aid Mission to Gaza to continue their journey to the country's border at Rafah.

The development took place when the mission convoy was blocked near Suez Canal here, about 160 kilometres from Cairo.

The three individuals allowed were KP1M president Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, Malaysian Ambassador to Egypt and Palestine Datuk Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari and the Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Anwar Al-Agha.

The three of them were brought to cross the Suez Canal before continuing their journey in Egyptian military armoured cars at about 2.30 pm local time (7.30 pm Malaysian time).

Seventy-eight other volunteers including Mercy Malaysia and the Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations (Mapim) personnel were not allowed to do so for security reason.

The order was given by a military control post commander here after the convoy was held back for five hours while discussions went on.

The mission had planned to distribute 5,000 boxes of food supply to 25,000 Palestians and to deliver medical assistance to victims of Israeli attacks in Gaza.

Almost 2,000 Palestians were killed in attacks by Israel on Gaza Peninsula since July 8.