World-renowned Bangladeshi photographer, educator, and activist Dr Shahidul Alam, along with dozens of international peace advocates, has been detained by Israeli authorities and transferred to Ketziot Prison, a notorious high-security facility located in the Negev Desert.
The information was confirmed today through an official statement from Drik, the Dhaka-based photography and media organisation founded by Dr Alam. According to Drik, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Adalah – The Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel provided confirmation of the detention and ongoing mistreatment of the activists.
Arrest of the Freedom Flotilla Crew
The Freedom Flotilla, a humanitarian initiative carrying journalists, health professionals, human rights defenders, and volunteers from multiple countries, was reportedly intercepted by Israeli naval forces in international waters while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
After the seizure, all individuals on board were forcibly taken to the Israeli port city of Ashdod, before being transferred under armed escort to Ketziot Prison, one of the largest detention centers in Israel.
Adalah’s legal team, which has been in communication with the detainees, reported that those aboard the flotilla were subjected to physical and psychological violence during and after the seizure of their ships.
“The detainees have faced various forms of violence since their arrest,”
said Adalah representatives, citing testimonies from the prisoners.
Drik’s Condemnation and Statement
In its statement, Drik expressed deep concern over the treatment of the detainees and condemned the Israeli actions as a violation of international law and human rights.
“Palestinians face similar and even worse forms of violence every day,”
Drik noted, adding that the Israeli government’s continued aggression reflects the systematic oppression faced by Palestinians for decades.
Drik’s statement further highlighted that the Freedom Flotilla’s mission was entirely peaceful and humanitarian, aimed at breaking the blockade of Gaza and delivering essential aid to its besieged population of over two million people.
Conditions Inside Ketziot Prison
According to multiple human rights groups, Ketziot Prison, located deep in Israel’s Negev Desert, currently holds around 10,000 Palestinian prisoners, including political detainees, journalists, and activists.
Reports from former inmates and watchdog organisations have described harsh living conditions, limited access to healthcare, overcrowding, and frequent instances of abuse and intimidation by prison authorities.
The detention of Shahidul Alam and his fellow activists has reignited criticism of Israel’s treatment of political prisoners and raised international alarm over freedom of expression, humanitarian activism, and the safety of journalists.
Call for Immediate Release
Drik’s statement called on Israel to immediately and unconditionally release all members of the Freedom Flotilla, including Dr Alam and other humanitarian volunteers.
The organisation also demanded renewed international attention on the ongoing detention of thousands of Palestinians, many of whom are held without trial or under administrative detention.
“These are people of peace, not violence. Their only mission was to deliver hope and solidarity to Gaza,”
Drik said.
“Their detention is a clear attempt to silence global voices calling for justice.”
Bangladesh’s Continued Solidarity
In its concluding message, Drik reaffirmed Bangladesh’s long-standing solidarity with the Palestinian cause — a stance deeply rooted in the country’s moral and political principles since its independence.
“Palestine will be free,”
the statement declared, echoing decades of global resistance against occupation and oppression.
The detention of Dr Shahidul Alam — an internationally acclaimed figure known for his lifelong dedication to truth, justice, and visual storytelling — has drawn strong reactions from activists, artists, and human rights defenders around the world.
Many see this as a symbolic reminder that the struggle for freedom, dignity, and justice transcends borders, and that the voices raised for Palestine continue to resonate far beyond the region’s boundaries.
