Gaza, Oct 08 (V7N) – The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has reported that Israeli forces attacked and seized several ships from their Gaza-bound humanitarian fleet early Wednesday morning. The first attack targeted the ship ‘Conscience’, which was carrying Bangladeshi photographer and writer Shahidul Alam, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

The Conscience was carrying 93 journalists, doctors, and activists aiming to break the Israeli blockade and deliver aid to Gaza. Following the initial assault, three smaller boats of the flotilla were also attacked and seized by Israeli forces.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry later confirmed the attack and seizure in a post on its official X (Twitter) account, stating that “another attempt to illegally violate the naval blockade and enter the war zone has failed.” The ministry said the detained passengers and ships had been taken to an Israeli port, assuring that “everyone is safe and will be repatriated soon.”

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim strongly condemned the Israeli attack, calling it “an act of aggression against a peaceful humanitarian mission,” and demanded the immediate release of Malaysian citizens detained aboard the flotilla.

In a video message recorded before his detention, Shahidul Alam said:

“I am Shahidul Alam, a photographer and writer from Bangladesh. If you have seen this video, we have already been detained at sea. I have been kidnapped by Israeli occupation forces, who are carrying out genocide in Gaza with the active cooperation and support of the United States and other Western powers.”

He urged his friends and fellow activists to “continue the fight for the freedom of Palestine.”

Just a day earlier, Alam had posted on Facebook that the Conscience was approaching the “red zone”—an area where Israeli forces had previously detained ships attempting to reach Gaza.

END/SMA/AJ