Shahidul Alam 'detained' by Israeli forces

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly detained Bangladeshi photographer and writer Shahidul Alam from the Conscience ship, which was heading to Gaza as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. Alam confirmed the news in a video message posted on Facebook on Wednesday, October 8.

In the video, Alam said, “I am Shahidul Alam, a photographer and writer from Bangladesh. If you are watching this, we have been detained at sea. I have been abducted by Israel’s occupying forces, who are committing genocide in Gaza with the active cooperation of the United States and other Western powers.”

He further urged his colleagues and supporters to continue the struggle for Palestinian independence.

Earlier, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, October 7, Alam had warned that he might reach the “red zone,” a term used to describe a dangerous area, by early Wednesday morning.