These past few mornings, the writer is very sure that many of us have woken up with the same thought in our minds: What is happening to the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) humanitarian aid mission to Gaza? The writer shares the same concern.

The first thing the writer reaches for each morning is the phone – scrolling through news portals and social media feeds in search of signs of progress, safety, and hope. But this morning was different. Reports emerged that several flotillas had been intercepted, and with them came a sinking sense of dread.

These are not just ships. They are vessels of solidarity, carrying food, medicine and, most importantly, the compassion of people from across the world. To see them blocked is painful. Yet, while the ships are stopped at sea, their voices continue to sail in another ocean: the ocean of social media.

A lifeline in the digital sea

For the flotilla, social media is more than just a platform. It is their lifeline. Each video from the deck, each short message sent before signals are cut, proves that the mission is still alive. Without these updates, the flotilla could easily disappear into silence. With them, the world sees their courage and humanity.

Traditional media often takes time. News reports must go through verification and editorial processes. Journalists may not even be present on site.

Social media does not wait. A single post can cross continents in minutes, sometimes reaching millions of eyes before news channels pick up the story. That immediacy is what keeps the Global Sumud Flotilla visible and alive in our collective awareness.

This is the essence of what we call the digital public sphere. It is the space where narratives are created, contested, and amplified. For the flotilla, their story is not buried by silence or overshadowed by political filters.

Instead, it is carried forward by the voices of ordinary people with smartphones, internet access, and determination. From Malaysia to the Middle East and beyond, social media connects us directly to the journey unfolding in real time.

A battlefield of truth and lies

But let us not be naïve. Social media is also a battlefield. For every genuine update, there are false ones. Rumours spread quickly. Fake headlines twist the truth. Coordinated disinformation campaigns attempt to delegitimise the mission.

With the rise of generative AI, the risks are even greater. Fabricated images, deepfake videos, and synthetic voices can be created in minutes and made to look real. Imagine the damage if a false video claimed the flotilla had surrendered or failed. Such manipulation could damage morale, fracture solidarity, and weaken the mission’s credibility.

The battlefield is not only about content but also about visibility. Algorithms decide what rises and what disappears from our feeds. Critical updates may be buried, while sensationalist or misleading posts rise to the top. Automated bots amplify certain narratives while silencing others. This is what we can call a digital blockade: not one of ships and weapons, but of information, attention, and reach.

The battle for truth is no longer just at sea. It is on our screens, in our feeds, and in our clicks. The flotilla faces physical blockades. We face digital blockades of lies, manipulation, and suppression.

What we must do

This is why every one of us has a role. Responsibility does not lie with activists alone. It extends to every user of social media. For ordinary citizens, the call is simple: verify before you share.

In times of crisis, taking a moment to verify the source can mean the difference between amplifying truth and reinforcing falsehood. Carelessly forwarding a rumour may unintentionally serve the very forces seeking to erode solidarity.

For activists and supporters, preparation is crucial. Livestreams, messaging apps, and satellite phones are vital tools to keep the mission visible online. Diversifying communication channels ensures that if one line is cut, another carries the message forward. Equally important, the narratives shared must remain human and authentic.

Statistics and figures matter, but it is the stories of courage, resilience, and compassion that move hearts across the globe. Yet in telling these stories, dignity must always be protected. Pain must never be turned into spectacle.

For platforms and governments, the responsibility is heavier. Social media is now part of the humanitarian infrastructure. Just as we protect food convoys and medical aid, we must also protect communication lines.

Suppression of humanitarian voices is not a technical glitch. It is a moral failure. Platforms must guard against manipulation and disinformation. Governments must acknowledge that communication rights are inseparable from human rights.

Solidarity beyond sympathy

Solidarity cannot remain at the level of sympathy. It must translate into meaningful action. That action may be small, but it matters. Raising awareness, standing firm against misinformation, and donating to verified humanitarian causes are all forms of action.

Solidarity also requires consistency. Too often, global attention fades once the immediate crisis passes. But the struggle for justice and humanity does not end when hashtags stop trending.

True solidarity is not a burst of emotion. It is a steady, committed stance that refuses to let injustice be normalised.

The power of spiritual and moral resilience

Beyond politics, strategy, and digital tactics, there is another force that sustains the mission: spirit. The flotilla is not only a physical journey but also a moral one.

Compassion, justice, and faith are powerful forces that no blockade can suppress.

For those of us far from the Mediterranean, our role is to keep that moral flame alive. Spiritual resilience matters.

Prayer, steadfastness, and a refusal to grow numb to injustice connect us to the mission even when we are not physically there.

It is a reminder that struggles for humanity are not just about ships on the sea but about values that bind us together as people.

A call from afar

The Global Sumud Flotilla is not only a mission at sea. It is a test of how truth survives in a world of physical and digital blockades. Each intercepted ship reflects a blockade on the water. Each authentic post pushes back against silence.

After putting down the phone in search of flotilla updates, the writer is reminded that social media has become a bridge of humanity – one that can either stand firm in truth or collapse under the weight of falsehood.

The story of the Global Sumud Flotilla shows us that social media is both a lifeline and a battlefield. The choice of what it becomes lies in our hands.

Let us continue to pray and remain steadfast, standing in spiritual solidarity with the mission from afar. For those not on the ground, the greatest contribution lies in doing our part responsibly – sharing verified information, rejecting rumours, supporting credible channels, and amplifying voices of compassion. In this way, solidarity endures, and it cannot be silenced.

-- BERNAMA

Assoc Prof Dr Izzal Asnira Zolkepli is the Secretary-General of the Malaysian Association of Communication Educators (MACE) and an Associate Professor at the School of Communication, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).