Flotilla for Freedom: Shahidul Says Sailing to Break Gaza Blockade
Dhaka photographer and DRIK managing director Shahidul Alam has said his vessel is sailing separately from the Global Sumud Flotilla and that the mission is not a humanitarian-delivery voyage but an effort to break the Gaza blockade. In a video message posted on Facebook on Friday, Shahidul said the group had reached “Palestinian time zone” and expected to pass through the blockade the same day.
“We have now come into the Palestinian time zone. There is still distance to go. But today we will get through,” he said in the message. Shortly after his video was posted, Israeli forces reportedly intercepted the flotilla’s latest ship, the Marinet—though details remained unclear.
Speaking from a vessel bound for Gaza, Shahidul outlined his group’s plan and emphasised their separate route from the Sumud flotilla. “Those who joined the Sumud flotilla went differently. We are going separately. That was our plan so that even if something happens to them, we could push forward. We have learned that Israel has detained all their ships,” he said.
He added that his boat was the largest in his group and that eight smaller boats accompanied it. “Nine vessels including ours are free at this moment. We have come into the Palestinian time zone. There is still distance, but today we will get these eight smaller boats across. After that, our ship will be first. That means the ire will fall on us. But we are absolutely determined; we will reach Gaza and accept no blockade.”
Shahidul stressed the mission’s political objective: “We are not going for aid. We are going to break an illegal blockade.” He said the flotilla included journalists, medical professionals and other personnel, and that their purpose was to protest and resist the blockade and what he described as killings of civilians and journalists.
“We are going to fight; we have the right to travel to and be in Palestine. We will protest how many people, how many journalists and doctors Israel has killed,” he said, accusing authorities of failing to respond adequately to recent attacks. “Last night, 14 Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) doctors were killed. We will see how France responds. So far, they have done little beyond sweet words. Now words are over. Now it is time to act.”
He called the voyage a civic response in the face of what he described as betrayals by some political leaders: “As citizens, we will do what we can. Your love is our inspiration.”
Describing conditions on board, Shahidul said the sea was calm that morning, though weather could change quickly. He also said he had been briefly unwell the previous day but was now recovered and ready. In his post’s caption he wrote, “We will prevail; Palestine will be free,” and noted that 96 people were aboard his ship, 82 of them media and medical professionals, alongside organisers, flotilla co-ordination members and crew.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is one of several international maritime efforts attempting to reach Gaza by sea to challenge the Israeli naval blockade and deliver aid. Several flotilla vessels were reported halted by Israeli forces in recent days; details of detentions and interceptions have varied across media reports.
