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| Gaza-bound aid convoy leaving UK | |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| A convoy of 110 vehicles is leaving London for Gaza to deliver £1m of humanitarian aid. | |
| Hundreds of volunteers will act as drivers during the mission, which is organised by umbrella body Viva Palestina and backed by Muslim groups. | Hundreds of volunteers will act as drivers during the mission, which is organised by umbrella body Viva Palestina and backed by Muslim groups. |
| Its 5,000-mile route will pass through France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. | Its 5,000-mile route will pass through France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. |
| Respect MP George Galloway, who will help drive the convoy, said a peaceful "intifada" was sweeping the UK. | Respect MP George Galloway, who will help drive the convoy, said a peaceful "intifada" was sweeping the UK. |
| The Gaza Strip is facing a humanitarian crisis following Israel's recent three-week offensive. | The Gaza Strip is facing a humanitarian crisis following Israel's recent three-week offensive. |
| About half of Gaza's population is dependent on UN food aid. | About half of Gaza's population is dependent on UN food aid. |
| 'Beleaguered population' | 'Beleaguered population' |
| Other backers of the mission include the Stop the War Coalition, the Respect Party, the Anglo-Arab Organisation and several UK trade unions. | Other backers of the mission include the Stop the War Coalition, the Respect Party, the Anglo-Arab Organisation and several UK trade unions. |
| It will include 12 ambulances, a boat and trucks full of medicines, tools, clothes, blankets and shoe-boxes as well as gifts for children. | It will include 12 ambulances, a boat and trucks full of medicines, tools, clothes, blankets and shoe-boxes as well as gifts for children. |
| Mr Galloway said it would be the largest convoy of British vehicles to north Africa since the days of Field Marshall Montgomery. | Mr Galloway said it would be the largest convoy of British vehicles to north Africa since the days of Field Marshall Montgomery. |
| "There is an intifada sweeping Britain," he added. | "There is an intifada sweeping Britain," he added. |
| "It is a massive and peaceful movement in support of the beleaguered population of Gaza and Palestine. | "It is a massive and peaceful movement in support of the beleaguered population of Gaza and Palestine. |
| "It is happening everywhere, but is especially strong in the north of England and especially among young Muslims." | "It is happening everywhere, but is especially strong in the north of England and especially among young Muslims." |
| Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of Save the Children, said she hoped that the convoy would help raise awareness of the situation in Gaza - but added that far more resources were required to tackle the humanitarian crisis in the territory. | |
| "Around 80 aid trucks are getting into Gaza each day, but we estimate that around 400 are needed daily," she said. | |
| "Some 90% of the population are depending on food aid. Around 100,000 people have been displaced, many of them are now living in tents - the aid is getting through, but much more is needed." |