Struggle will continue until Palestine is liberated: Shahidul Alam on return
'We must remember that the people of Gaza are not yet free,' says Shahidul Alam.
Shahidul Alam, photographer and managing director of Drik, returned to Dhaka this morning (11 October) after being freed from illegal detention by occupying Israeli forces, saying upon his return that the struggle will continue until Palestine is liberated.
"The love of the people of Bangladesh gave me the chance to return. We must remember that the people of Gaza are not yet free. The people of Gaza are still being attacked, they are still being persecuted. Until that stops, our work is not finished," Shahidul said, according to a post by Drik on Facebook.
"The way Bangladeshis responded from all over the world, prayed for us, and the way the Government of Bangladesh and the Turkish government provided assistance -- I thank everyone," he added.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"Thousands more flotillas like ours are needed until Palestine is free. Our real struggle is still ahead. Our struggle will continue until Palestine is liberated."
The renowned Bangladeshi photographer was released by Israeli authorities on Friday (10 October) after joining a Free Palestine campaign.
Earlier yesterday, Shahidul Alam reached Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight around 2:30pm local time, where he was received by Bangladesh Consul General in Istanbul Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, according to the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups, organises civilian maritime missions aimed at breaking Israel's blockade of Gaza to deliver vital humanitarian aid.
The ships carried over $110,000 worth of medical supplies, respiratory equipment and nutrition intended for hospitals struggling in Gaza, the coalition said.
However, the Israeli Defense Force intercepted the boats and detained those aboard.
The Guardian reported on 8 October that a new flotilla aiming to deliver aid to Gaza was also intercepted by the Israeli military.
According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Israeli military was disrupting signals as it boarded at least two boats. They stated on Instagram, "The Israeli military has no legal jurisdiction over international waters. Our flotilla poses no harm."
Organisers reported on X that three vessels, Gaza Sunbirds, Alaa Al-Najjar and Anas Al-Sharif, were attacked and unlawfully intercepted by the Israeli military early in the morning, approximately 220km off Gaza's coast.
They noted that another ship, the Conscience, was also "under attack." Shahidul Alam was on this ship.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the raid on X, saying the flotilla's attempt to breach what it described as a "legal naval blockade" had failed.
"The vessels and the passengers have been transferred to an Israeli port. All the passengers are safe and in good health. The passengers are expected to be deported promptly," it added.
