Jerusalem (CNN) -- A humanitarian convoy that includes passengers who survived a previous fatal flotilla incident arrived to a jubilant welcome in Gaza, the organization said Thursday.
The convoy, comprised of 150 vehicles and 370 people, brought $5 million of aid to Gaza. Egyptian officials would not allow 17 people to enter, the group said.
The Viva Palestina convoy has been hailed by organizers as the largest convoy to break the Gaza embargo.
The Viva Palestina convoy has been joined by ships from Morocco, Algeria, Jordan and Persian Gulf nations. Two of the ships were to pass through the point at which Israeli troops boarded the Mavi Marmara aid convoy in May.
Israeli troops used force on the activists in that incident, leaving eight Turks and one U.S.-Turkish dual citizen dead. Israel said its troops were attacked by those on board, but passengers on the boat said they were fired on without provocation.
Among those on board the Viva Palestina convoy are 40 of the passengers who were on the Mavi Marmara. Viva Palestina organizers planned a commemoration service at that location.
CNN
