Humanitarian relief agency Gift of the Givers (GOTG) has been given the green light to enter Gaza through the Rafah border. After more than a month long negotiation with authorities, GOTG founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman said they finally received word from South African Department of International Relations on Thursday morning. GOTG will be sending medical teams, medical equipment, ambulance and medical supplies to cross the Rafah Border to enter Gaza with immediate effect.

“A cargo aircraft has been hired to carry the 16 tons of supplies valued at R15 million. Loading commences on Saturday and items are being organised at our Bramley Logistics Centre at present,” said Sooliman.

Permission has been granted for ten personnel only. According to Sooliman, it appears that similar restrictions apply to other international teams.

“Our scaled down ten member team was selected according to the urgent specialist requirements of the Palestinian Ministry of Health to maximise service to the Palestinian war victims. We would have loved to take at least 30 other medical volunteers but have to work within what has been permitted,” he said.

The team intends departing by the weekend, dependent on flights and visas.

“Our special thanks to South Africa’s Department of International Relations for engaging the Egyptian Government and securing permission.”

The Israeli army launched a brutal military aggression against Gaza in July, which has killed least 2028 Palestinians, including hundreds of children, infants, women and elderly. More than 10 302 have been injured, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Most of Gaza has been left destroyed and hospitals are slowly starting to run out of medical supplies. GOTG has delivered R4 million of supplies inside Gaza since the beginning of the war on 8 July 2014. VOC