A delegation of the humanitarian aid convoy “ Miles of Smiles 9” has reviewed with municipality officials of Gaza City, the sector of solid waste in under the ongoing Israeli siege imposed on the coastal enclave for more than 6 years.

The delegation was headed by Dr.Issam Mustafa , chairman and general coordinator of “Miles of Smiles 9” who hailed the efforts of Gaza municipality in providing the inhabitants with all needed services, despite the heinous Israeli blockade.

He said “ each time we come to Gaza , we stress to our Palestinian people that they are not alone, but we are siding with them sharing their pains and suffering, and that we will do everything possible to help them, and convey their situation to world’s free people”.

He added that the convoys of “Miles of Smiles” come to remind the world community of the absented Palestinian cause, and of the Israeli siege that damaged all living aspects on human, economic ,and health sectors.

Dr. Issam affirmed that the occupation would not hold more in face of the steadfastness of the Palestinian citizen who sacrificed everything for the sake of his land, and home, and to defend the holy places.

He noted that Miles of Smiles convoys “ would not stop until the restoration of the rights of our people in Gaza, and removing the Israeli occupation”.

Engineer Rafiq Makki, the Mayor of Gaza City welcomed the convoy’s delegation ,and expressed his appreciation to the convoy and its organizers, for their continued and blessed efforts in sending relief convoys to break its blockade.

He addressed the delegation saying “ You have cut hundreds of miles with the aim of breaking the Israeli siege on Gaza, and you have encountered many difficulties and hardships for our sake, so we pray Allah to recompense your good efforts to help the Palestinian people”.

Gaza Mayor also made a briefing about health and environment problems in Gaza due to the Israeli occupation practices, and due to the blockade that affected the environment directly and greatly affected Gaza Strip municipalities, especially in terms of solid waste collection and disposal”.

He explained that the municipality truck fleet to collect the waste became very old fashioned , some were broken, while others need spare parts that are not allowed by the occupation.

He went on saying that they were obliged to look for alternative and primitive methods to collect the solid waste of Gaza City, like animal-drawn carts to control this problem, to keep the city clean.

The public relations department at the municipality screened a documentary film on the situation of solid waste in Gaza Strip,and Gaza environment in general with the presence of the visiting delegation that talked about the needed machinery of the municipality to fix the waste problem through practical solutions.

For their part, the convoy’s delegation reaffirmed that the Miles of Smiles convoys would not stop or hesitate in supporting Gaza until lifting the siege and the opening of all crossings.

They added that more convoys would be organized during the next period , through coordination with Gaza caretaker government to bring all the needs including those material for the municipalities.

AB.