Shahidul Alam, managing director of Drik and a celebrated photographer and writer from Bangladesh, has been detained by Israeli forces while on board the Gaza-bound ship Conscience, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning (October 8).

In a video message posted on Facebook at around 10:30 am, Shahidul said:

"I am Shahidul Alam, a photographer and writer from Bangladesh. If you are seeing this video, know that we have been stopped at sea and I have been abducted by Israeli occupying forces. These are the forces of a country that, with active support from the US and other Western powers, is carrying out ethnic cleansing in Gaza. I call upon all my comrades and friends to continue the fight for the freedom of Palestine."

According to The Times of Israel, the Israeli navy intercepted and detained all ships and passengers of a new flotilla that attempted to breach the naval blockade and enter the Gaza port. The detainees, including Shahidul, have reportedly been taken to an Israeli port.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement saying:

“Another failed attempt to illegally breach the legal naval blockade and enter a war zone has ended without results. The ships and passengers have been taken to an Israeli port. All passengers are safe and healthy. Plans are in place for their prompt deportation.”

The flotilla, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, consisted of nine ships and about 100 activists. The ship Conscience departed from Italy approximately two weeks ago.