Inspired by the idea of a “message in a bottle,” Egyptians have begun sending food to Gaza by sea, using sealed plastic containers. The initiative was proposed by an Egyptian academic based in Japan, who suggested 25-liter barrels—each holding 6–8 kg of food—could float to Gaza within 72 to 96 hours when released from areas like Damietta or Port Said.

Social media users praised the symbolic gesture, with many sharing videos of citizens participating. However, some stressed the need for more impactful action—such as supporting reliable aid groups and pressuring global powers to reopen borders and deliver vital aid.

This comes amid growing fears of mass starvation in Gaza, where over 950 aid trucks remain stuck at the Egypt-Gaza border. More than 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while seeking food since May, when the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation took over relief operations.

NGOs like Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders say their teams in Gaza are also starving. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros has condemned the food crisis as “man-made,” as Israeli strikes continue. Gaza's Health Ministry reports over 59,000 deaths since the war began in October 2023, with many still buried under rubble.