Standoff between Gaza group and Egyptian cops

A GROUP of Londonderry men carrying humanitarian and medical supplies to Palestine were on Tuesday (January 5) evening once again encountering an Egyptian obstacle course on their way to Gaza.

Jonathan Crockett, Danny Doyle, Eddie McBride, Derek McChrystal and Eanna O'Donaghaile - travelling with the Viva Palestina humanitarian convoy - were forced to jump through hoops on the road to Palestine and have been away from home for over a month now.

Early on Tuesday the Sentinel reported that the men were making their way from Al-Arish slowly towards Rafah and the Gaza border but the paper has learned that their progress has once again been blocked by the Egyptian authorities.

Negotiations are currently ongoing and the group hopes to arrive in Gaza tomorrow (Wednesday, January 6).

After making a circuitous trip back through Damascus to the Syrian port of Latakia after being barred entry by Hosni Mubarak's Egyptian Government via the Jordanian port of Aqaba they are now on the last leg of their journey.

The men - who have driven across Europe to get to Gaza - stress that the next 24 hours will be critical to their success.

Kevin Ovenden, leader of Viva Palestina and associate of Respect MP George Galloway, had their passports taken by the Egyptain authorities when they arrived at Al-Arish. Egypt.

But now things are looking brighter for the campaigners. Following the successful arrival of the cargo ship carrying ambulances and medical supplies the remaining 450 people accompanying the goods have arrived on chartered airplanes at Al-Arish.

Mr Crockett informed the Sentinel this afternoon (Tuesday, January 5) that the men have left Al-Arish and hope to arrive at Rafah and the Gaza border later today or tomorrow.

The latter now looks likely as the Egyptian authorities have blocked the convoy's progress with an oil tanker and a phalanx of riot police.

Mr Crockett said there is a very heavy security presence on the road and with armed police every 100 yards or so.