9 vessels push on separately as Gaza flotilla intercepted by Israel: Shahidul Alam vows to break 'media siege'
The group expects to soon overtake the smaller vessels ahead, positioning their large ship as the vanguard headed for the Palestinian enclave, said Shahidul Alam on his verified Facebook page
A small coalition of vessels, now separated from the Israel-intercepted Global Sumud Flotilla, is pushing forward toward Gaza with the explicit mission of breaking the "illegal siege" and the "media siege" today (3 October), according to Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam, sailing on the Conscience.
We shall prevail. Palestine will be free
The update confirms that their large vessel and eight accompanying boats — a total of nine — are the only ships remaining on course after Israeli forces intercepted and detained half of the lead Sumud Flotilla.
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The group expects to soon overtake the smaller vessels ahead, positioning their large ship as the vanguard headed for the Palestinian enclave, said Shahidul Alam on his verified Facebook page.
The vessel, now operating in the Palestinian time zone, is not primarily focused on aid delivery, though it carries supplies to ensure it does not "become a burden on our Gaza brothers and sisters."
Instead, the mission is framed as a protest against the ongoing conflict and specifically targets the killing of non-combatants.
Despite the capture of the main flotilla and the inherent risks associated with being the lead vessel, the group expressed unwavering resolve.
"This is a risk we were always prepared to take... Your love and your encouragement gives us strength. We shall prevail. Palestine will be free," writes Shahidul Alam.
The large vessel is carrying 96 people, including 82 media and medical professionals, along with organisers and members of the Flotilla Coalition steering committee.
"We are here to protest against the journalists and medical professionals killed alongside the ordinary women, men and children, in Gaza by Israel," Shahidul stated, adding that they are determined to break the blockade, "especially the media siege," given that foreign media access is currently blocked.
The video commentary describes the sea as "quite calm this morning," a welcome change after the previous day saw extremely rough conditions that caused several passengers to become ill, including the Shahidul, the managing director of Drik.
However, the calm waters belie the rising political stakes.
Organisers reported receiving news late last night of the death of the 14th doctor from the French NGO Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), underscoring the lethal dangers faced by non-combatants in the territory.
