The Islamic Hamas movement deplored Saturday the Greek government's measure barring vessels heading to Gaza from leaving Greek ports, Xinhua reported.
In a statement issued in Damascus, Hamas said "banning vessels from reaching Gaza Strip, which has come in response to pressures practiced by the Zionist occupation, is considered inhuman and contrary to international laws and norms... it could be further considered as a contribution in besieging the Palestinian people languishing under occupation."
American protesters on a boat bound for the Gaza Strip have been escorted back to shore, as Greece announced it was banning vessels heading to Gaza from leaving Greek ports.
The secretive attempt by the activists to head out to sea Friday ended in failure after authorities in inflatable speedboats raced after them as their vessel tried to sail without permission from the port of Perama near the Greek capital, Athens.
Hamas urged the European Union Parliament and all humanitarian organization to pressure the Greek government to allow the vessels to sail to Gaza , and called also for an end to the "unjust" siege imposed on the Palestinian people.