Over the past week, Madleen Kulab, a 30-year-old fisherman and inspiration for the name Madleen Aid Ship, has continued his boat journey with a mix of hope and uncertainty as he sailed towards the Gaza coast in an attempt to break Israel’s lockdown.
During the voyage, Kulab made close contact with the organizers of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and launched the ship.
But her guarded optimism gave way to heartbreak when she woke up Monday to news that Israeli forces intercepted ships in international waters and detained all 12 people, including Swedish climate activist Greta Sãoberg.
“I was deeply disappointed,” the club told Al Jazeera. “I was very hoping for this scenario, but somehow I really wanted the miracle of the ship breaking the blockade and reaching Gaza.”
The night before the ship was intercepted, the club spoke with one of the 12 people onboard Lima Hassan, a member of the French European Parliament. Hassan, a Palestinian origin, told the club over a video call that her biggest dream was to visit Gaza.
“Her words really moved me. The way she dedicated her life to a Palestinian cause,” the club said.
“Even so, that simple dream (to visit Gaza) has become impossible by Israel.”