PHOTOS: Egyptian police attack aid worker in ordeal

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An aid volunteer from Maidenhead has spoken of the moment he awoke to find his aid convoy under attack from 300 Egyptian police in riot gear.

"It was like a war zone," said Razwan Khan, describing the moment that violence erupted between aid workers and Egyptian police.

Tensions had been rising between the authorities and members of the humanitarian convoy trying to reach Gaza and deliver vital supplies.

"I was in my van when it all kicked off and they just started smashing everything up. They had water cannons and were ready for an argument. A lot of people got injured and cut in the head because the Egyptians were throwing rocks and firing rubber bullets. One guy had his front teeth smashed out."

The attack happened in the  port of Al Arish in Egypt where Razwan had travelled as part of the Viva Palestina convoy led by MP George Galloway.
The 500 humanitarians from 17 countries had re-routed to the port after receiving guarantees from the Egyptian authorities of a safe passage to Gaza.

Protests broke out on January 5 when they ordered some lorries to use an Israeli-controlled checkpoint. The activists wanted the goods to be transported via Egypt's Rafah crossing as agreed.
The riot police moved in on the volunteers who had been crammed into a compound without water, food or toilet facilities. They included 10 Turkish MPs and British MP George Galloway, who has since said it was the most dangerous situation he has ever been in.

Many of the humanitarians were seriously injured and had to be hospitalised but it is thought all of them were eventually allowed across the border to Gaza to distribute their aid - including Razwan.
"It was an amazing feeling," he said, recalling the sense of achievement after finally reaching their goal.

Read the full story of Razwan's experience in this week's Advertiser.

PHOTOS: Click through Razwan's photo gallery here in which he captures his experience on camera.