Updated 2pm with clarification from Egypt Embassy

Two shipping containers with aid from Malta to people in Gaza are stuck in Egypt, as a Palestinian-Maltese woman accompanying the donations negotiates the “ever-increasing fees” to release the goods.

Sanaa El-Nahhal left for Gaza at the beginning of March, “ready to die” to make sure the donations reach the Palestinian strip that has been ravaged by war.

The woman has been making similar trips since 2009, when she left for Gaza during the so-called Gazsa Massacre armed with 60 boxes of supplies donated by the Maltese.

Back then she was trapped at the Rafah border for two days, but following diplomatic intervention, she had been reallowed into Egypt to return to Malta. 

But the current trip is the hardest one yet.

El-Nahhal, president of the Arabic Culture Information Society (ACIS) and originally from Rafah, left Malta for Gaza through Egypt at the beginning of March, soon after at least 112 people were killed and 760 injured when Israel Defence Forces troops opened fire on starving Palestinians gathered around food aid trucks.

On March 4, El-Nahhal told Times of Malta she was seeking support in clearing the shipping containers with the Egyptian authorities, verifying that the goods were not merchandise to be sold in the north African country, but rather, donated items for people in Gaza.

Two weeks later, the containers were at risk of being returned to Malta, as El-Nahhal was still looking for a local organisation willing to handle the process at “a reasonable cost”.

Finally, “with the invaluable assistance of close friends who tirelessly facilitated communications and correspondence”, ACIS managed to intercept the containers at the port of Alexandria just before they departed for Malta.

“Thankfully, we were granted a reprieve of 18 days to navigate the process of removing the containers from the port and settling the fines incurred due to the delay. This involved navigating customs procedures and securing a broker within the allotted time frame.

“At present, we are collaborating with a local NGO that kindly accepted to assist us in receiving the containers and transiting them to the people of Gaza. Upon my arrival in Gaza, we will finalise arrangements with another association to receive more aid, ensuring their onward journey to their intended destination.”

ACIS is a registered voluntary organisation (VO88). More information on sanaaelnahhal@yahoo.co.uk, while donations can be made via Revolut on 9923 8638.

In a statement on Monday afternoon, the Embassy of Egypt in Malta said the North African country had been receiving tons of aid directed to Gaza since the beginning of the crisis, and has led the process of moving aid to Gaza with international partners.

However, in order to organise this process, the government put in place some conditions:

• The Foreign Affairs Ministry of Egypt is the focal point for any party willing to send aid to Gaza through Egypt
• El-Areesh airport is the only exclusive port allocated for aid from governments and UN agencies
• NGOs and civil society organisations need to make arrangements through the government of the country where they are based
• All aid is received via the Egyptian Red Crescent Organization, which stores it safely at El-Areesh airport, until it is transported to the Gaza strip and handled to the Palestinian Red Crescent

The Embassy of Egypt said that while Egypt did not charge for access to aid for Gaza, El-Nahhal had not coordinated with the embassy.