World Bulletin / News Desk

Turkey on Tuesday welcomed Viva Palestina convoy that embarked on its third humanitarian aid convoy to the Gaza Strip.

80 vehicle-convoy, starting their journey from London entered Turkey via Ipsala border crossing.

A large group of people attended the welcoming ceremony.

It has been one year since Israel's attacks over Gaza. Israel launched on Dec. 27 a massive offensive in Gaza, killing nearly 1500 Palestinians, a third of them children, and wounded more than 5000. 1.5 million Gazans live under heavy Israel siege for a long time.

Viva Palestina, formed in January, sent convoys to Gaza earlier this year -- the UK convoy in February and the US convoy in July.

Living up to its motto, "A Lifeline From Britain to Gaza", the international convoy aims not only to break the illegal siege imposed by Israel and send necessities into Gaza, but also wants to highlight the causes and results of wars in view of peace.

"Gazans not alone"

Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) said it organized the part of the convoy in Turkey.

IHH Chairman Bulent Yildirim and London team made statements during the ceremony and explain that the convoy will get bigger until it reaches to Gaza.

Bulent Yildirim said, "we all go to share the pain and ease the wounds of the people of Gaza who are exposed to all kinds of human rights violations.
"Israel will see that the people of Gaza are not alone," Yildirim said.

The convoy is expected to be in Gaza on December 27.

Another 80 vehicle from Turkey will join to the convoy as well as 47 vehicles from the U.S.

Civil society organizations from different countries, human rights organizations and activists, will meet in Gaza to support the Palestinian people who live under the siege and to draw attention to the humanitarian situation on the first anniversary of the attacks in Gaza.

A giant march will be held in December 27 in Gaza. After this march, all the vehicles that comes with the convoy will be donated to the Palestinian people.