Renowned Bangladeshi photographer and Drik Managing Director Shahidul Alam has claimed that Israeli forces intercepted their Gaza-bound ship in international waters and abducted him.
He made the statement in a video message posted on Facebook around 10:15 a.m. Bangladesh time on Wednesday.
In the video, Shahidul Alam said, “I am Shahidul Alam, a photographer and writer from Bangladesh. If you are seeing this video, please know that we have been intercepted at sea and I have been abducted by the occupying forces of Israel. These are the same forces, supported and aided by the United States and other Western powers, who are carrying out genocide in Gaza. I urge all my comrades and friends to continue the struggle for Palestine’s freedom.”
Alam was aboard the MV Conscience, one of the ships in the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and Thousand Madelines to Gaza (TMTG) initiative — an international effort carrying journalists and medical personnel to Gaza. The mission aimed to challenge Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza and demand freedom of the press.
On Tuesday, Alam had posted that their vessel might enter the “Red Zone” by early Wednesday morning — a term he used to describe the high-risk area where Israeli forces recently intercepted the Sumud Flotilla, detaining several activists.
Israel has long barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza since the ongoing war began two years ago. During this period, Israeli forces have frequently targeted Palestinian journalists. Since October 2023, more than 270 journalists have reportedly been killed in Gaza by Israeli attacks, while many others remain detained in Israeli prisons.
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