"We regret the position of Greece, which has responded to international pressure to stop the Freedom Flotilla from sailing," Hamas foreign minister Mohamed Awad told a news conference at Gaza`s port.
"We call on them to reconsider their ban on the flotilla setting sail and to allow them to leave," he added.
Several ships participating in the so-called Freedom Flotilla have been forced to remain docked in Greece after local authorities warned that they did not have permission to set sail for Gaza.
Also on Sunday, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat condemned the Middle East diplomatic Quartet after it sought to discourage new flotillas from sailing to Gaza.
"The blockade on Gaza should be immediately lifted, not eased. That is the only appropriate and acceptable message," Erakat said in a statement.
"We invite (the Quartet) to focus on resolving the root cause of the conflict, which is the occupation, rather than seeking ways to manage its destructive symptoms," Erakat said.
On Saturday the Quartet, with representatives from the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations, said the flotillas were not helpful.
The ships, chartered by pro-Palestinian activists, are seeking to break the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip and are loaded with items ranging from aid to letters from supporters.
In 2010, Israeli commandos raided a flotilla of aid ships seeking to reach Gaza in an operation that left nine Turkish citizens dead and prompted widespread criticism.
In the wake of May 31 incident, Israel eased some of its restrictions on Gaza, loosening the blockade it imposed after Gaza-based militants captured an Israeli soldier in 2006 and that was tightened in 2007 when Hamas seized Gaza. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
