Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on June 11, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

The seizure of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters has not deterred other aid convoys from heading towards Gaza. Palestinian-American writer Ahmad Ibsais explains how humanitarian aid has become a politically charged weapon of war.

In this episode: 
Ahmad Ibsais, Writer of ‘State of Siege’

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li. The original production team was Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K Li and Haleema Shah, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Mariana Navarette, Kisaa Zehra and our guest host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on June 11, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.
The seizure of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters has not deterred other aid convoys from heading towards Gaza. Palestinian-American writer Ahmad Ibsais explains how humanitarian aid has become a politically charged weapon of war.
In this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Ahmad Ibsais, Writer of &lsquo;State of Siege&rsquo;</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li. The original production team was Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K Li and Haleema Shah, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, Mariana Navarette, Kisaa Zehra and our guest host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz.&nbsp;
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer.

The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines.

With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines.
With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.