'Apologies for the scare earlier': Shahidul confirms he's not taken by IDF

Bangladeshi photographer and activist Shahidul Alam, currently aboard the Gaza bound flotilla, has clarified that he has not been detained by Israeli forces, following confusion over a post on his Facebook page late last night.

In a new post today, Shahidul wrote, "Apologies for the scare earlier. The text was the script for a video I had prepared which would be released if/when we get picked up by IDF. Glad Rahnuma was quick off the mark and deleted it before it did too much damage. Today was a crazy day. String of media interviews. Late night drill in moonlight to prepare for Israeli attack, followed by kitchen cleaning chore where Veronica and I ended up singing 'My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.'"

The clarification came after a midnight post on his page caused alarm among followers. 

The earlier message read, "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 the active collaboration and assistance of the USA and other western powers. I appeal to all my comrades and friends to put pressure on the Bangladesh Government to demand my release as soon as possible and continue FIGHTING for the freedom of Palestine. Palestine will be free. It's for you folks back home."

The earlier post, which has since been deleted, appeared to have been mistakenly uploaded, prompting concerns that Shahidul and others aboard the flotilla had been intercepted.

According to his latest update, the flotilla remains active and preparing for possible confrontation with Israeli forces as it sails toward Gaza, aiming to challenge the blockade and deliver humanitarian aid.