Pro-Gaza flotilla charity says Israel blocking aid to be sent via Jordan
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ROME – Israel is blocking 250 tonnes of aid for Gaza, including food, medical supplies and educational material, because of disagreements over its content, an Italian charity involved in the September international flotilla said on Oct 9.
Italy’s Music for Peace non-governmental organisation (NGO) said it collected large quantities of aid as part of a mobilisation in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was seeking to breach Israel’s naval blockade on the Palestinian enclave.
About 40 tonnes were loaded onto boats that joined the flotilla from Italy and were blocked by Israel with the rest of the convoy. Another 250 tonnes were meant to been delivered to Gaza via Jordan, but were stranded in the Italian port of Genoa, the charity said.
“They told us that with a few phone calls, in three hours the aid would have been in. Well, we’ve been trying for four weeks, and the end result is that we have been refused,” said Mr Stefano Rebora, head of the NGO, at a press conference.
Speaking in the Italian Parliament, Mr Rebora said one of the sticking points was an Israeli request to remove so-called high-energy food products, such as biscuits and honey, from the shipment, a demand his organisation refused to comply with.
He also said there were disagreements with Israeli authorities over the registration and accreditation of the Italian charity and its local agents.
Cogat, the arm of the Israeli military that oversees aid flows into Gaza, rejected claims that it blocks high-energy food products and took aim at “certain international organisations (that) falsely portray Israel as obstructing the entry of humanitarian aid”.
An Israeli military official said the refusal by some international organisations to cooperate with a registration process raised “serious concerns” about their intentions and possible links to Hamas.
The militant group has denied Israeli accusations that it diverts aid.
Israel and Hamas signed a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal
The plan includes provisions to increase aid. REUTERS
