Two Greek-flagged ships departed Syros on Sunday evening to join the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international mission aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza and delivering humanitarian supplies.
Around 500 people gathered at Ermopoulis port on Sunday to see off the Oxygen and Ilektra, two Greek-flagged vessels carrying goods for Gaza and five and eight crew members respectively.
Kostas Fourikos, a crew member, said the mission aimed to show Israel “it shouldn’t have the right to impose starvation” and to express solidarity with Palestinians suffering under the blockade. Fellow crew member Angeliki Savvantoglou said the flotilla also seeks to pressure governments to stop supporting Israel.
The fleet intends to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the United Nations declared famine in August affecting around one million people. Israel denies the existence of famine in the Strip.
The pro-Palestinian Sumud flotilla, supported by figures including activist Greta Thunberg, describes itself as independent and not affiliated with any government or political party. The Arabic word “Sumud” means “resilience.”
The mission has faced challenges, including suspected drone attacks near Tunisia. Savvantoglou said the crew is prepared for potential risks but emphasized that the dangers of the mission pale compared to life in Gaza.
Earlier in July, demonstrations in Syros, Rhodes, and Crete sought to prevent an Israeli cruise ship from docking, reflecting continuing opposition to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Monday (4 May) that meteorological monitoring equipment at the Zaporizhzhia...
The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art were transformed once again into the world's most prestigious runway for the 2026 Met Gala. This ye...
A blast at a fireworks factory in China's Hunan province has killed 21 people and injured 61, pro...
The UK is moving to join a €90 billion European Union loan scheme for Ukraine, with Prime Minister Ke...
The U.S. and Iran launched new attacks in the Gulf on Monday as they wrestled for control over the Strait o...
More than 100 pro‑Palestinian activists aboard boats carrying aid to Gaza were taken to the Greek island of Crete on Friday after Israeli forces seized their vessels in international waters near Greece, according to flotilla organisers.
Loyalists of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas won most municipal races, election officials said on Sunday (26 April). Reuters reported that elections were held for the first time in nearly two decades in the central Gaza city of Deir al‑Balah, which is governed by Hamas.
Residents in central Gaza are preparing to vote in municipal elections on Saturday (25 April), marking the first ballot in the Strip since 2006. The vote in Deir al-Balah is being watched closely as a rare indication of public sentiment, including towards Hamas.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.
A 77-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman were killed on Monday (4 May), after a man drove a car into a crowd on a pedestrianised street in the the eastern German city of Leipzig, authorities said.
Iran warned Armerican forces on Monday (4 May) not to enter the Strait of Hormuz, after the U.S. said it had launched a mission to try and reopen the sea passage. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister said there was no military solution to the Middle East conflict.
Ukraine has launched a new wave of drone strikes on Sunday (3 May) across Russia, hitting key infrastructure and causing casualties in several regions, officials on both sides said.
Medics are working to evacuate two people with symptoms of the deadly respiratory illness, hantavirus, from a luxury cruise ship being held off West Africa, after three people died and several others fell ill, officials have said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to the Vatican and Italy this week for a series of meetings, according to Italian media reports, in a visit that comes amid strained relations between Washington and parts of Europe and heightened tensions involving Pope Leo XIV.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Monday (4 May) that meteorological monitoring equipment at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in south-eastern Ukraine had been damaged by a drone.
A blast at a fireworks factory in China's Hunan province has killed 21 people and injured 61, prompting President Xi Jinping to call for a thorough investigation, state media reported on Tuesday.
The UK is moving to join a €90 billion European Union loan scheme for Ukraine, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying the benefits outweigh the costs, as he pushes for closer ties with Europe at a summit in Armenia this week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a ceasefire with Russia until Wednesday (6 May), after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a pause in hostilities on 8-9 May to mark the 81st anniversary of Soviet Russia’s victory over Nazi German in World War II.
A 77-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman were killed on Monday (4 May), after a man drove a car into a crowd on a pedestrianised street in the the eastern German city of Leipzig, authorities said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment