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Ammon News - AMMAN - Activists said they are preparing a “grand welcome” for a humanitarian convoy expected to pass through the Kingdom en route to Gaza later this month.

According to Abdullah Obeidat, president of the Jordan Engineers Association (JEA) and president of the professional associations council, the third “Viva Palestina” charity convoy is expected to arrive in Jordan on December 23 before heading to Egypt and crossing to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing.

"We need significant popular support to welcome this convoy," said Obeidat, whose association has been leading a donation campaign to assist Gazans.

The vehicle convoy, nicknamed “Return to Gaza”, left London on December 3 and is being led by British MP George Galloway in response to the 2008-2009 Israeli military offensive in Gaza.

The convoy is expected to enter Gaza by December 27 to mark the first anniversary of the attack, which left over 1,300 Palestinians dead and injured 5,000.

The humanitarian aid includes 210 trucks laden with basic food items and medical assistance, with 100 trucks from Britain, 50 from Turkey and the rest from other parts of the world, according to Obeidat.

Hundreds of political and prominent figures are expected to accompany the trucks on their way to Gaza, including representatives from Britain, Turkey, Syria and elsewhere.

"The association will provide a number of trucks with basic goods," said Obeidat, noting that a number of tribal leaders and civil society representatives vowed to offer a helping hand.

"Gaza needs all the assistance it can get. The humanitarian situation is dire and this convoy is timely," he told The Jordan Times, adding that the association is currently looking into the needs of Gazans and will extend financial aid in the next few months.

The convoy will be received by association representatives at the Jaber border crossing with Syria before being escorted to Amman for a press conference, according to the association. (By Mohammad Ben Hussein/ Jordan Times)