British MP delivers aid, vehicles to Hamas government

British MP delivers aid, vehicles to Hamas government Gaza - British Member of Parliament George Galloway on Tuesday delivered thousands of pounds and a convoy of vehicles to the Hamas government in Gaza a day after his caravan arrived in Gaza City.

"We are giving you now 100 vehicles and all of their contents, and we make no apology for what I am about to say. We are giving them to the elected government of Palestine," Galloway said during a welcoming celebration organized by Hamas in Gaza City.

The convoy included 12 ambulances and a fire engine and carried aid worth more than one million pounds (1.4 million dollars). Among the goods brought were food, medicine, and toys. The cash and the keys for the vehicles were handed to Ziad al-Zaza, minister of economy and Haneya's deputy.

Hamas has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007 when the Islamist group routed security forces loyal to Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who in turn refused to recognize the government in Gaza.

Galloway hailed deposed Hamas' premier Ismail Haneya, describing him as the prime minister of Palestine. His remarks were made as Hamas and Abbas' Fatah movement resumed reconciliation talks to form a unity government to replace the Hamas administration of Gaza and the Abbas-backed government that rules the West Bank.

In December 2008, Israel launched a 22-day offensive into Gaza, resulting in the deaths of nearly 1,350 Palestinians and demolishing thousands of homes and public institutions. (dpa)

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