Madleen Kulab, Gaza’s first fisherwoman and the inspiration for the aid ship Madleen, followed the vessel’s journey hoping it would break Israel’s blockade. Despite her fears, Israeli forces intercepted the ship in international waters, detaining all 12 onboard, including Greta Thunberg. For Kulab, the mission represented Gaza’s ongoing suffering. While heartbroken by the outcome, she believes the activists delivered a powerful global message of humanity. Still, she laments Gaza’s isolation, starvation, and the unending weight of war.