Egyptian police injure 55 Gaza activists

Pro-Palestinian activists trying to get relief convoy into Gaza Strip break down gate at El-Arish port in protest of Egypt's decision to ship goods through 'Israel'.

About 55 people were injured late Tuesday in clashes between Egyptian police and pro-Palestinian activists trying to get a relief convoy into the Gaza Strip, security officials and medics said.

Some 520 activists belonging to the convoy - led by charismatic and outspoken British MP George Galloway - broke down the gate at the port in El-Arish to protest an Egyptian decision to ship some of the goods through 'Israel'.

The protests were sparked by an Egyptian decision to allow 139 vehicles to enter Gaza through the Rafah bordering crossing, about 45 kilometers (30 miles) from El-Arish, but requiring a remaining 59 vehicles to pass via 'Israel'.

Zionist regime and Egypt have severely restricted travel to and from the Gaza Strip since Hamas seized power there in June 2007, after winning Palestinian legislative elections in 2006.