Bangladeshi photographer and writer Shahidul Alam has claimed in a Facebook video that he was intercepted at sea and kidnapped by Israeli forces.
In the video, posted around 10:20 a.m., Alam introduced himself, saying:
“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 committing genocide in Gaza with the support of the USA and other Western powers.”
He urged his “comrades and friends” to continue the struggle for Palestinian freedom. The post did not specify his location, the timing of the interception, or his current status.
According to AFP, the organisers of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla reported that the Israeli army intercepted at least three vessels early Wednesday morning. The Global Sumud Flotilla stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the boats — Gaza Sunbirds, Alaa Al-Najjar, and Anas Al-Sharif — were “attacked and illegally intercepted” about 220 km (140 miles) off Gaza’s coast.
Another ship, The Conscience, carrying over 90 journalists, doctors, and activists, was also reported to be “under attack.”
Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the interceptions, calling them a “futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone.” It added that all passengers were “safe and in good health” and would be deported soon after being brought to an Israeli port.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said the boats were carrying over $110,000 worth of humanitarian aid, including medicine, respiratory devices, and food supplies intended for Gaza’s struggling hospitals.
In recent months, Israel has blocked multiple international flotillas attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, where the UN has warned of famine conditions.
Just last week, Israeli naval forces stopped another Global Sumud Flotilla of around 45 vessels carrying politicians and activists — among them Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg — an action that sparked widespread protests across Europe.