Gaza City – During last week, Madleen Kulab, the 30 -year -old fisherman and the inspiration for the name of the Madleen aid ship, had followed the ship’s trip with a mixture of hope and anxiety while sailing to the coasts of Gaza in order to break the blockade of Israel.
Throughout his trip, Kulab remained close in touch with the organizers of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which launched the ship.
But her kept optimism gave way to sorrow when she woke up on the news on Monday that the Israeli forces had intercepted the ship in international waters and held the 12 people on board, including Swedish activist from the Greta Thunberg climate.
“I was deeply discouraged,” Kulab told Tel Aviv Tribune. “I strongly expected this scenario, but I was really hoping for a miracle that the ship would break the blockade and would reach Gaza.”
At night before the interception of the ship, Kulab spoke to one of the 12 people on board, Rima Hassan, member of the European Parliament of France. Hassan, of Palestinian origin, told Kulab for a video call that his biggest dream was to visit Gaza.
“Her words really moved me, the way she devoted her life to the Palestinian cause,” Kulab said.
“And yet, this simple dream (visit Gaza) was made impossible by Israel.”
For Kulab, the interception of the fleeting ship worsened the weight of isolation of life under siege and bombing by Israel.
Since his last war against Gaza began on October 7, 2023, Israel killed at least 54,880 Palestinians and injured 126,227, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
Since 2007, the Palestinians of Gaza have lived under an air, terrestrial and maritime blockage imposed by Israel.
“We live in a completely sealed place in the world. (Since 2010) each previous attempt at Flatillas to break the blockade has been encountered by military intervention,” said Kulab, referring to the way in which the missions have been intercepted or attacked by Israeli forces.
For Kulab, the mission and interception of the ship – which have drawn the attention of international media – reflect the wider suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza, which she said endlessly.
“The story of this ship reflects mine and the story of each tired and worn person in Gaza,” she said.
“We are only a media wave – it increases sharply, then fades just as quickly, and we are left in front of our pain in silence.”
With the detention of Madleen’s crew members, Kulab said she just hoped for their safety and their possible return. Thunberg was expelled from Israel on Tuesday.
“Their noble message was delivered: the message of humanity has reached the world,” she said.
“But I no longer have the words to call on anyone to act.”
The population of Gaza faces famine, and after Israel partially raised its strict seat in May, the aid centers became the murder site while Israeli soldiers and American security entrepreneurs opened fire on crowds of Palestinians trying to access food.
Day after day, life becomes more unbearable, said the first fisherman in Gaza.
“I drown in suffering in the midst of war and famine,” said Kulab. “Me, my family and everyone here.”