Gaza's Defiant Fisherwoman: Aid Ship Named in Her Honor

Gaza's First Female Fisherwoman Inspires Aid Ship's Name Amidst Blockade Tensions The "Madleen," an aid ship bound for Gaza, carries a powerful symbol: its name honors Madleen Kulab, the enclave's first and only female fisherwoman. Kulab's story, highlighted in a recent Al Jazeera English video, exemplifies the resilience of Gazans facing Israel's ongoing blockade. The video shows Kulab's struggles, including the confiscation of her boat by Israeli naval forces in 2016, a setback she overcame by purchasing new gear and returning to the sea. "They tried to stop me," Kulab recounts, "but I refused to give up. Fishing is my life, it's how I feed my family." The video also showcases the devastating impact of the recent war, leaving Kulab's family of six starving and without income. The "Madleen" ship, carrying 12 activists, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, aims to deliver humanitarian aid, challenging the blockade. However, Israel has ordered the ship to turn back, raising concerns of a potential deadly raid. Kulab, upon hearing the ship's name, expressed being "deeply moved." The "Madleen's" journey symbolizes hope and defiance amidst the ongoing conflict.