A Gaza-bound aid ship has docked at the city of Arish in North Sinai and is preparing to transport its cargo by land, Egyptian authorities declared on Sunday.
The Miles of Smiles is currently unloading, Secretary General for North Sinai Governorate Gaber al-Araby said.
It is carrying 12 ambulances, baby milk and other humanitarian aid, he said in a press statement.
The ship’s entry to the port was facilitated, according to the port’s general manager, Gamal Abdel Maqsoud.
The vessel, hoisting a Moldovian flag, departed from Venice, Italy. The aid is expected to pass into Gaza through Egypt’s Rafah land crossing. Palestinian news reports believe 60 activists of different nationalities are on board.
Aid convoys to Gaza have become a risky business since Israel shot dead nine Turkish activists in May 2010 after intercepting an aid convoy en route to the Palestinian enclave.
