Iranian lawmakers have declared their support for the first Asian convoy heading to the Gaza Strip with the aim of showing solidarity with the Palestinian people. We have not witnessed many humanitarian aid convoys from Asia and the news of Asian People's Solidarity for Palestine (APSP) convoy heading to Gaza indicates the revival of such activities on this continent, the statement by 200 Iranian lawmakers read. A group of 50 pro-Palestinian activists taking part in the road trip from New Delhi to Gaza arrived in Tehran on Wednesday. They plan to travel through nine countries before entering Gaza via the Rafah Crossing in late December. The group will be delivering medical supplies to the impoverished people in Gaza. This movement has been organized by the non-governmental organizations and we hope that the continuation of such moves will lead to the formation of a popular pro-rights movement independent of states and governments, the statement said. Iranian lawmakers also donated part of their salary toward aiding the Palestinian people. Asia's first humanitarian aid convoy is heading to the blockaded coastal sliver to show solidarity with the Palestinian people in their resistance against Israel. Tel Aviv laid an economic siege on the Gaza Strip in June 2007 after the democratically-elected Hamas government took control of the coastal sliver. The illegal Israeli-imposed blockade has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the enclave. Some 1.5 million people are being denied of their basic rights, including freedom of movement, and the rights to appropriate living conditions, work, health and education. Poverty and unemployment rates stand at approximately 80 and 60 percent respectively in the Gaza Strip. On May 31, nine Turkish activists aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla were killed when Israeli marines opened fire on them in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The aid flotilla, organized by the Free Gaza Movement and the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief, was carrying aid, medical supplies, and construction materials to Gaza.