Gaza Strip has welcomed for the 6th time the Aid convoy of “Miles of Smiles” laden with medical equipment, medicines, wheelchairs for the handicapped, foodstuffs, and missing baby milk, amid pledges from the general coordinator Dr.Issam Mustafa to organize more convoys to support and break Gaza siege until its complete removal .
Dr. Mustaf, in a statement to Amman based “Humanitarian Voice” said that this convoy came to Gaza in a time where Arabs and Muslims are proud to commemorate the anniversary of October War that occurred on 1973 against Israel, and witnessed the victory of the Egyptian army, who fought bravely and made great sacrifices.
He also stated that “ preparations are afoot to organize the 7th convoy slated to arrive Gaza during Eid-Ul-Adha ( sacrifice feast) to share joy and happiness of Gaza citizens in celebrating this feast and draw a smile on faces of Gaza children.
Dr. Mustafa has reaffirmed that these aid convoys would continue till lifting Gaza siege completely, and opening the border crossings permanently, adding that “ this convoy is complementary to the previous efforts, as the 5th convoy came to culminate the 4th convoy and complete the precedent convoys, and to enhance solidarity efforts with Gaza”.

Talking about the objective of variety in selecting the participant delegations in the convoy, Dr. Mustafa said “Our objective of these convoys to Gaza is to increase the maximum number of crowds in solidarity with Gaza, to raise the morale of its besieged people, and make them feel that they are not alone, but that all people of the earth are with them”.
He went on saying that “ 22 prominent Jordanian figures are participating in this convoy, while the 5th convoy was from South Africa, and the precedent convoys came from Europe and from east Asian countries to cover almost all world countries”.
The general coordinator Mustafa explained that these convoys aimed at conveying and reporting the suffering of Gaza besieged people to world community, so that the delegations would play the role of ambassadors for Gaza citizens in their countries and convey the real image of the heinous Israeli siege.
He added that all the convoy’s cargo of medical supplies, medicines, and wheelchairs for the handicapped were purchased and prepared in Egypt, to save time and money.

As concerning the coordination with Gaza health ministry, Dr. Mustafa has explained “ We have avoided the mistakes that took place with the precedent convoys, and we coordinate with the ministry before buying any medicine, or medical supplies”.
He also clarified that the nature of quality of aid material brought by the convoy “Miles of Smiles 6” are matching the realistic needs of Gaza inhabitants , noting that the medical items and equipment were bought through coordination between the convoy’s organizing committee and Gaza health ministry.
Commenting on the intensifying the solidarity convoys with Gaza during the recent months, Dr. Mustafa said “people of Gaza need the support of these convoys everyday, and we will not let them down…also we intensify our campaigns to keep the tone of Gaza siege in the international arena, and focus the lights on the necessity of increasing efforts to mitigate Gaza siege.
He went on to say “ We promise Gaza inhabitants to come during the blessed feast of Eid-Ul-Adha to bring more smiles and to completely break Gaza siege, and we will continue to support them for ever”.
As for the obstacles that encountered the convoy while entering to Gaza, he said “ the obstacles that were prevailing during the previous Egyptian regime are still there on Rafah crossing, causing much suffering and pain for Gaza inhabitants willing to travel abroad, as the crossing working hours do not exceed 8 hours per day, and only 300 Palestinians are allowed to pass through it”.

Dr. Mustafa expressed hopes that the new Egyptian authorities would end the suffering of Gaza inhabitants by opening the Rafah crossing permanently without any prior conditions, and contribute in mitigating the suffering of Gaza children and inhabitants.
It is also worth mentioning to say that the aid convoy “Miles of Smiles 6” arrived in Gaza last Wednesday with the participation of 70 solidarity activists representing seven countries : Britain, Kuwait, Turkey, South Africa, Algeria, Jordan, and Bahrain, and it included a number of parliamentarians , physicians. Engineers, prominent public figures, in addition to four women.
The total cost of the convoy was estimated at $1.45 million to cover the purchasing of medicines, and missing medical supplies direly needed in Gaza that were valued at 400 US dollars, in addition to wheelchairs and electric vehicles for those with special needs.