Egypt MPs to visit Gaza in solidarity convoy

Members of Egypt’s upper legislative house, the Shura Council, are planning a solidarity convoy to the Gaza Strip. The house’s Arab Affairs committee is organising the trip, according to committee head Reda Fahmy. Fahmy made the announcement on Tuesday during the emergency plenary meeting of the Islamist-led council to discuss the latest wave of Israeli strikes on Gaza. A delegation from the Arab League, including Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Amr, arrived in Gaza on Tuesday, joined by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. On Sunday, a convoy organised by several Egyptian political parties, revolutionary groups and independent activists crossed the Rafah border into Gaza to show solidarity with the Palestinian people. The convoy of 330 people was the largest civilian convoy to cross into the territory since 1967. Following Sunday’s convoy, a number of political and student groups have also started working on arranging solidarity convoys to the Palestinian territory. Several demonstrations have been held in Egyptian streets since the attacks started, with protesters demanding that Egypt take a hard line against the Israeli attacks. Some 110 Palestinians have been killed, including 27 children, since the strikes began a week ago. Three Israelis were killed last week when a Gaza missile struck their house. From Ahramonline