The second "Artery of Life" humanitarian convoy led by British Common House member George Galloway crossed on Wednesday into the Gaza Strip through Rafah crossing between Gaza Strip and Egypt, witnesses said.

The first convoy had managed to cross into the Gaza Strip also through Egypt in March together with cars, trucks and ambulances loaded with medical aids and food supplies through Rafah border crossing.

However, this time, Egypt only agreed to let Galloway and dozens of other international activists to cross, refusing the convoy's vehicles to cross into the enclave.

The convoy's cars and trucks were sent to the Israeli-Egyptian controlled Kerem Shalom crossing point southeast of Gaza Strip borders with both Israel and Egypt. Galloway told reporters as he crossed Rafah border crossing that "I hope the vehicles will cross into Gaza soon."

A pro-Hamas committee to defy the Israeli blockade said in a statement sent to reporters that the convoy arrived at Rafah border crossing on Tuesday, and it was split into people and vehicles. The people crossed through Rafah and the vehicles will cross through Kerem Shalom.

Hamdi Shaath, spokesman of the committee said earlier that the second "Artery of Life" convoy, which is led by Galloway, drove on Monday through al-Ismaeleya city in Egypt heading to Rafah Crossing.

"In addition to Galloway, the humanitarian convoy will include 50 activists, including a former U.S. Congress woman, four Jewish anti-Zionism Rabbis and a retired general in the U.S. Army who served in Iraq," said Shaath.

He added that his committee "has finalized all the preparations to receive the second convoy, including a full program for the visitors, including the places they will visit and the people they will meet."

Israel has been imposing a tight blockade on the Gaza Strip for more than two years. Israel conditions lifting the blockade with releasing captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit held in Gaza since June 2007.

Israel also insists that all Gaza crossings will be reopened not only after Shalit is released, but also when a long-term truce is reached with Hamas and other Gaza militant groups.

Xinhua