A high-level Bahraini delegation will arrive in Gaza tomorrow to open two UNRWA schools, the enclave’s Hamas rulers said yesterday, denying it would be led by one of the royal princes.
“A high-level Bahraini delegation will visit Gaza on Thursday headed by Mustafa Al-Sayyed, Secretary-General of the Bahraini Royal Charity Organization (RCO),” said a terse statement issued by Taher Al-Nunu, spokesman for the Gaza government.
The statement was issued shortly after two separate sources — one close to the Hamas government and another from the UN refugee agency — said the delegation would be led Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, a son of the Bahraini king.
Government sources in Manama also denied claims that Sheikh Hamad would visit Gaza on Thursday, saying the delegation had already set off under the leadership of Sayyed.
He said it was the fourth time the charity had visited Gaza and said the delegation would deliver humanitarian aid and inaugurate several schools there.
Earlier a source close to UNRWA said the delegation would be led by the prince, who chairs the charity.
Four Bahraini activists took part in a six-ship flotilla that tried to breach Israel’s blockade on Gaza in May 2010, which ended in bloodshed when Israeli troops stormed the lead ship, killing nine Turks.
Boost for Hamas: Top-level Bahrain delegation visiting Gaza tomorrow
