Greek Ship Joins Gaza-bound Flotilla from Syros

A Greek vessel named Oxygen departed on Sunday evening from the island of Syros to join an international flotilla headed for Gaza, aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade and deliver what organizers call a “humanitarian and solidarity corridor.”

The boat is Greece’s contribution to the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of more than 40 ships crewed by activists from 44 countries. The mission, according to participants, is both symbolic and practical: to carry aid and solidarity while drawing international attention to the situation in Gaza.

Why “Oxygen”?

The name Oxygen was chosen to highlight both the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and broader struggles for justice. “When we watch the images from Gaza and the West Bank, we feel pain,” said Agisilaos Koulouris of the March to Gaza Greece initiative. “We hurt because we see children and people slaughtered. We named our boat Oxygen because oxygen means life.”

Koulouris linked the name to global and local tragedies, referencing George Floyd’s last words, the drowning of migrants off Pylos, and the deadly train crash at Tempi in Greece. “Our demand for oxygen—symbolically and literally—is more urgent than ever,” he said.

Calls for support

Another activist, Angeliki Savvantoglou, emphasized that the flotilla’s success depends on international awareness. “As our people sail towards Gaza, there are many ways for everyone to support the fleet and its mission,” she said. “Each of us can do something, even something small, to become part of this effort.”

On Sunday, farewell events were held at Syros’ port, where supporters gathered to cheer the departure and underline the message: “All eyes are on Gaza.”

Organizers urged citizens worldwide to demand safe passage for the flotilla. “We know Greek authorities will not make it easy. We know Israeli authorities will attack us. The only ones who can guarantee our safety are all of you,” the group declared. “Keep your eyes on the flotilla, keep your eyes on Gaza.”