Vessels prepare to set sail from the island of Syros, Greece, Sept. 14, 2025. Greek sailing vessel “Oxygono” (Oxygen), part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), an international convoy seeking to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip and deliver humanitarian aid, set sail from the island of Syros on Sunday. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
SYROS, Greece, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) — Greek sailing vessel “Oxygono” (Oxygen), part of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), an international convoy seeking to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip and deliver humanitarian aid, set sail from the island of Syros on Sunday.
The mission aims to raise awareness of the suffering of the Palestinian people and help end the conflict that began nearly two years ago, said Vassilis Rogas, a journalist at the Greek newspaper Epochi (Era) and a member of the Greek mission.
Greek activists of various ages and professions departed from Ermoupolis port to join about 1,000 other activists from over 40 countries on board some 60 ships in the Mediterranean international waters en route to Gaza, according to GSF organizers.
“After the brutality of the Israeli state in Gaza, the realization that we must take a stand in favor of the Palestinian people is growing worldwide. However, the siege and killings in Gaza, as well as the apartheid regime in the West Bank, continue,” Rogas said.
“We call on societies around the world to demonstrate with us so that there will be as much mobilization and pressure as possible on institutions, states, international organizations, and the state of Israel itself,” he added.
The first vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla departed from Barcelona, Spain, on Aug. 31. In the past two weeks, boats from Tunisia, Libya and Italy have joined the convoy.
Previous similar attempts ended inconclusively. In June this year, Israeli forces intercepted a vessel carrying activists who attempted to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza. ■
Gaza-bound Greek vessel sets sail from Syros island
