Madleen: Gaza Fisherwoman & Solidarity Mission | Israel-Palestine
The aid ship ‘Madleen’—named for Madleen Kulab, Gaza‘s only fisherwoman—sets sail to deliver vital aid and spotlight the resilience of those affected by conflict. This mission aims to break the silence on the plight of Gazan civilians, including Kulab, who lost her livelihood and family during the war. The ship carries activists, including Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, hoping to end the blockade and bring international attention to the suffering. News Directory 3 covers this story, focusing on Kulab’s struggle. Discover how Kulab’s story inspires the mission and what the future may hold for Gaza.
Aid ship Named for Gaza Fisherwoman Sails to Break Blockade
Updated June 05, 2025
An aid ship named ‘Madleen,’ after Madleen kulab, Gaza’s only fisherwoman, is en route to the region. The vessel aims to deliver essential aid, highlighting kulab’s story of resilience amid ongoing challenges.
Kulab, 30, once fearlessly navigated Gaza waters to provide for her family. though, the recent conflict dramatically altered her life. The war claimed the life of her father in an airstrike and forced her family to flee their home multiple times.
Now back in Gaza city, in a partially destroyed home, Kulab reflects on the honor of having the ship named after her. She shares the space with her husband, Khader Bakr, 32, also a fisherman, and their four children: Waseela, Safinaz, jamal, and Sandy.
The ‘Madleen’ carries 12 activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan. Kulab expressed deep gratitude for their dedication. “I felt an enormous sense of responsibility and a little pride,” Kulab said, upon learning of the ship’s name.
Before the war,Madleen Kulab was known for her fishing skills and her flavorful seasonal fish dishes,especially those made with sardines. She had a dedicated clientele eager to purchase her culinary creations. Now, neither she nor her husband can fish, as their boats and gear were destroyed.
“We’ve lost everything – the fruit of a lifetime,” she said, emphasizing that the loss extends beyond income.It encompasses her identity and connection to the sea.
Following the November 2023 airstrike, the family endured a tough displacement, eventually finding shelter with 40 relatives. Madleen gave birth without pain relief or adequate medical care and had to sleep on the floor with her newborn.
Kulab says the war has redefined her understanding of hardship. “There’s no such thing as ’difficult’ any more. Nothing compares to the humiliation, hunger and horror we’ve seen in this war,” she stated.
Despite her worries about the ship being intercepted, Madleen Kulab believes the mission has already delivered a powerful message. “This is a call to break the global silence, to draw the world’s attention to what’s happening in Gaza. The blockade must end, and this war must stop instantly,” she said.
“I was deeply moved. I felt an enormous sense of responsibility and a little pride,” she says with a smile.
What’s next
Kulab hopes the ‘Madleen’ will successfully deliver its aid and raise awareness about the ongoing challenges in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for an end to the blockade and the conflict.