Renowned Bangladeshi photographer and writer Shahidul Alam has claimed that he has been ‘kidnapped by the Occupation Forces of Israel’ while travelling by sea in their flotilla heading towards Gaza.
In a video message circulating on social media, Shahidul said, “I am Shahidul Alam, a photographer and writer from Bangladesh. If you are seeing this video, we have been intercepted at sea and I have been kidnapped by the Occupation Forces of Israel, the country conducting genocide in Gaza with active collaboration and assistance of the USA and other western powers.”
He went on to appeal to his ‘comrades and friends’ to continue fighting for the freedom of Palestine.
Shahidul Alam, known internationally for his photography and activism, has long been vocal about human rights and press freedom issues, including the situation in Palestine.
Further details about his whereabouts and the status of others reportedly travelling with him remain unclear.
Meanwhile, Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups that organises civilian maritime missions, has confirmed that the Israeli forces have attacked its convoy of aid boats and seized several vessels en route to Gaza.
Israeli forces intercept flotilla bound for Gaza, detain over 140 activists
According to the FFC, Israeli forces first targeted The Conscience -- a vessel carrying 93 journalists, doctors, and activists before intercepting three smaller boats on Wednesday.
The group said the passengers were “being held in unknown conditions.”
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on X that a raid on the flotilla had taken place.
“Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing. The vessels and the passengers are transferred to an Israeli port. All the passengers are safe and in good health. The passengers are expected to be deported promptly,” the ministry said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the Israeli operation and called for the immediate release of Malaysian activists participating in the mission, reports Al Jazeera.
Activists from Ireland, France, Denmark and several other countries were also part of the flotilla.
Prof Yunus expresses solidarity with Shahidul Alam and Gaza
The FFC said the boats were carrying ‘vital aid’ worth more than $110,000, including medicines, respiratory devices and nutritional supplies for Gaza’s hospitals.
“The Israeli military has no legal jurisdiction over international waters,” the group wrote on Instagram. “Our flotilla poses no harm.”
This marks the second interception in recent days.
Earlier, Israeli forces stopped about 40 vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla, detaining over 450 activists who had sought to deliver aid to Gaza.
Most of them, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, have since been deported.
Several participants from that earlier convoy have alleged physical and psychological mistreatment during detention.
French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan said she was ‘beaten’ by Israeli police, while American activist David Adler described being ‘stripped’, ‘zip-tied, ‘blindfolded’, and forced to pose for photos with Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.