Five local charities have organized a convoy of some 100 Qatari women, children and men who leave Doha to visit Gaza via Cairo today, Qatar Tribune reports.

The delegation is part of the “Miles of Smiles” campaign that has seen other convoys from various countries provide humanitarian relief and solidarity to the people of Gaza since 2008. Entering Gaza through Egypt will be considered a symbolic act of breaking the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian enclave, the newspaper states.

The convoy follows the Emir’s landmark trip to Gaza in October as the first Arab head of state to visit the territory since 2007, when Hamas took control. 

Rebuilding

At part of this mission, each participant will carry at least $3,000 in aid that will be used to rebuild houses damaged or destroyed by recent Israeli air strikes, Issam Youssef, general coordinator of the Miles of Smiles 18, announced last month.

Among those in the delegation are government officials, including Central Municipal Council President Saud bin Abdullah al Hinzab, imaams and a sports analyst.

Qatar Tribune reports:

(Qatar Charity’s Ali bin Rashid) al Mohannadi noted that the women in the convoy would deliver a message of solidarity to Gaza women while the children will participate in the celebrations of Al Intifada (Stone revolution)…

Yousef al Awadi, representative of Sheikh Eid Charitable Association said the organisation would renovate 162 mosques damaged by the Israeli massive bombardment on Gaza.

RAF representative Dr Mohamed Salah al Dasouki said body would take care of 220 orphans for one year in collaboration with Palestinian associations, and distribute financial assistance to poor families.

Thoughts?

Credit: Photo by effetto_farfalla