Egypt refuses entry of nine “Hope” activists

Egypt refuses entry of nine “Hope” activists

CAIRO, The Egyptian authorities have informed organizers of the European aid convoy "Hope" that it would not allow nine of the accompanying activists to enter Egypt en route to deliver the aid shipment to the Gaza Strip.

Hope sources said on Wednesday that the organizers had agreed with Cairo on entry of the aid consignment via El-Arish harbor and the activists through El-Arish airport.

The sources told Safa news agency that the activists were preparing for leaving the Libyan Benghazi airport to El-Arish when the Egyptians told them that nine of them would not be allowed access to Egyptian land.

The aid convoy had arrived in Libya three weeks ago and finally reached its destination in El-Arish harbor at dawn Tuesday on board a chartered cargo ship.

The vessel carries 95 tons of humanitarian aid and 30 trucks to transport the load.