Freedom Flotilla III sets sail from Sweden to break Gaza siege

The European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza announced that on Monday the first ship taking part in the Freedom Flotilla III set sail from Gothenburg, Sweden, heading to Copenhagen, Denmark, for a voyage of nearly 5,000 nautical miles to the blockaded Gaza Strip, the Anadolu Agency reported.

In a statement issued yesterday, the group said the trawler named Marianne was jointly acquired by Ship to Gaza Sweden and Ship to Gaza Norway and will be joined by other ships en route.

The first Freedom Flotilla was led by Turkish Mavi Marmara ship which set off towards the besieged Gaza Strip in May 2010 before Israeli forces attacked it in international waters killing ten activists and injuring others.

President of the European Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza, Mazen Kahil, said international efforts have continued to reach the besieged Gaza Strip for eight years now.

Kahil said that European efforts aim to make the international community face their responsibilities and place the siege of Gaza at the top of the political agenda, stressing that efforts will continue to break the Israeli blockade.

Kahil called on all stakeholders and international activists to join the European efforts to break the siege on Gaza, and to help alleviate the suffering of civilians there.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced on their website that former Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki will be on one the ships heading to Gaza.

The ship is carrying a limited amount of cargo including solar panels and medical equipment.