 The container of aid has been stuck since the middle of August |
A Devon surgeon has welcomed the release by the Israeli authorities of a container of aid destined for Palestinian communities in Gaza which has sat on a dockside for four months. . The news means a further container could be sent soon.
The aid was sent by David Halpin's Dove and Dolphin charity to the Israeli port of Ashdod, destined for Palestinian communities in the Gaza Strip.
Mr Halpin, 62, from Haytor in south Devon, first attempted to send supplies earlier this year.
Chartered vessel
On that occasion he worked closely with the Israeli authorities but the main stumbling block arose when British coastguards were unhappy with his original choice of vessel.
His latest attempt to send warm clothing and medical kits had been dogged with problems.
The container had been stuck since the middle of August, but having spoken to a contact in Palestine on Sunday, Mr Halpin says he has now been told the container is free to proceed.
Mr Halpin has already made one successful delivery of aid to the Palestinian people.
He spent �95,000 of his own money chartering a cargo vessel to sail 55 tonnes of aid to Gaza at the beginning of this year.
Mr Halpin eventually hopes to organise twinning between schools in the South West and those in Gaza and the West Bank.
"I am very glad I have done this, and I am going to go on doing it - it is very heartwarming," he said.
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