Asia 1 Aid Ship for Gaza Waits Egypt Green Light

Asia's first aid ship for Gaza Strip, which seeks to break the "Israeli" siege of the impoverished coastal sliver, is prepared to depart for the Egyptian port of El Arish.

The ship, which is currently docked at the Syrian port of Latakia, awaits the green light from Egyptian authorities before setting sail to El Arish where its cargo is to be carried over land to Gaza, reports indicate.

The "Asia to Gaza Solidarity Caravan" started its journey in the Indian capital, New Delhi. It has passed through Iran, Turkey, Lebanon and Syria so far.

The Gaza-bound vessel will carry one million dollars worth of medicine, foodstuffs and toys.

Fifteen countries are participating in the convoy which started from India, making its way through Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Syria. They plan to enter the enclave on December 28 after traveling through Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt.

The siege on the Gaza Strip persists while the enclave is far from recovering from the December 2008-January 2009 "Israeli" war that claimed the lives of over 1,400 Palestinians, inflicting a damage of above $1.6 billion on the enclave's economy.