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06-25-2025     3 رجب 1440

New Dimensions of Gaza Humanitarian Activism

June 25, 2025 | Farooq Ahmad Lone

On 1 June twelve activists including popular young Swiss Greta Thunberg set sail on a boat "Madleen" named after Gaza's only fisherwoman Madleen Kulab. The boat carrying rice, flour and medicines had destined to reach Gaza through sea and show solidarity with the people of Gaza. For days all eyes were on Madleen and the humanitarian effort was lauded globally. However on 9th of June the boat was intercepted by Israeli forces seizing the humanitarian vessel to dock in Israel's port of Ashdod. The activists on board were also taken to Israel. After the incident of Madleen interception by Israel, various humanitarian organizations expressed condemnations and people on social media reacted angrily to the incident. The Freedom Floitila Coalition under which Madleen set sail asked Israel for safe release of activists. There was much pressure on Israel not to harm activists. Later on it was confirmed by media organizations that the activists were unharmed and after reaching Israel were quickly taken for medical examination. Later on the activists were deported to their respective countries. Though the Madleen does not make it to Gaza however the attempt of activists on boat to break the Gaza siege was a much stronger message. In broader senses it represented a strong attempt from non-state actors to challenge the inhuman acts of a state. Though in nation state system it is the state which deals with issues involving sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states, however Madleen represented an effort that non-state actors too can make attempts to challenge sovereignty of a state in times of humanitarian crisis. There were various attempts in the past too to break the Gaza siege. In 2010 a Turkish ship "Mavi Marmara" carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza was attacked by Israeli commandos leading to death of ten Turkish activists. According to reports Israeli commandos opened fire as they faced violent resistance from some activists carrying knives ,clubs etc. The incident led condemnations from the international community and Turkish government. Tensions between Israel and Turkiye reached to such a level that both nations activated their air forces. Later on as per reports the prime of Minister of Israel in a one hour phone call with his then Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologised for the actions of Israeli commandos.

The Gaza blockade viewed as illegal is time and again drawing the attention of the international community towards the sufferings of the people of Gaza. United Nations is repeatedly insisting on Israel to lift the blockade. Human rights organizations and coalitions are collecting funds for aid deliveries to Gaza. Some activists are trying to break the blockade through sea by sailing on ships. During the current Israel-Hamas war various groups of activists all over the world have reached Egypt. They have moved towards the Egyptian border with Gaza to pressure Egyptian authorties to let them travel to Gaza along with aid to show sympathy with the victims of inhuman blockade. Though Egypt does not allow activists to cross its border however the attempt of activists represents a larger humanitarian ground. Some analysts are of the opinion that if the Gaza blockade is not softened it may in future lead to more powerful humanitarian interventions from organizations and possibly Turkiye as they did one in 2010. How will the humanitarian activism around Gaza crisis evolve and strengthen. How will the State of Israel respond to this new humanitarian dimension of Gaza conflict. These are the questions to be thought on.

 

Email:-------------------------lonefarooqahmad80@gmail.com

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New Dimensions of Gaza Humanitarian Activism

June 25, 2025 | Farooq Ahmad Lone

On 1 June twelve activists including popular young Swiss Greta Thunberg set sail on a boat "Madleen" named after Gaza's only fisherwoman Madleen Kulab. The boat carrying rice, flour and medicines had destined to reach Gaza through sea and show solidarity with the people of Gaza. For days all eyes were on Madleen and the humanitarian effort was lauded globally. However on 9th of June the boat was intercepted by Israeli forces seizing the humanitarian vessel to dock in Israel's port of Ashdod. The activists on board were also taken to Israel. After the incident of Madleen interception by Israel, various humanitarian organizations expressed condemnations and people on social media reacted angrily to the incident. The Freedom Floitila Coalition under which Madleen set sail asked Israel for safe release of activists. There was much pressure on Israel not to harm activists. Later on it was confirmed by media organizations that the activists were unharmed and after reaching Israel were quickly taken for medical examination. Later on the activists were deported to their respective countries. Though the Madleen does not make it to Gaza however the attempt of activists on boat to break the Gaza siege was a much stronger message. In broader senses it represented a strong attempt from non-state actors to challenge the inhuman acts of a state. Though in nation state system it is the state which deals with issues involving sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states, however Madleen represented an effort that non-state actors too can make attempts to challenge sovereignty of a state in times of humanitarian crisis. There were various attempts in the past too to break the Gaza siege. In 2010 a Turkish ship "Mavi Marmara" carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza was attacked by Israeli commandos leading to death of ten Turkish activists. According to reports Israeli commandos opened fire as they faced violent resistance from some activists carrying knives ,clubs etc. The incident led condemnations from the international community and Turkish government. Tensions between Israel and Turkiye reached to such a level that both nations activated their air forces. Later on as per reports the prime of Minister of Israel in a one hour phone call with his then Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologised for the actions of Israeli commandos.

The Gaza blockade viewed as illegal is time and again drawing the attention of the international community towards the sufferings of the people of Gaza. United Nations is repeatedly insisting on Israel to lift the blockade. Human rights organizations and coalitions are collecting funds for aid deliveries to Gaza. Some activists are trying to break the blockade through sea by sailing on ships. During the current Israel-Hamas war various groups of activists all over the world have reached Egypt. They have moved towards the Egyptian border with Gaza to pressure Egyptian authorties to let them travel to Gaza along with aid to show sympathy with the victims of inhuman blockade. Though Egypt does not allow activists to cross its border however the attempt of activists represents a larger humanitarian ground. Some analysts are of the opinion that if the Gaza blockade is not softened it may in future lead to more powerful humanitarian interventions from organizations and possibly Turkiye as they did one in 2010. How will the humanitarian activism around Gaza crisis evolve and strengthen. How will the State of Israel respond to this new humanitarian dimension of Gaza conflict. These are the questions to be thought on.

 

Email:-------------------------lonefarooqahmad80@gmail.com


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