Bangladeshi photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam has said that Israeli brutality in Palestine continues, and the oppression against Palestinians has not yet stopped. “Our struggle will go on until the persecution ends,” he declared.
He said, “Gaza has not been liberated. The people of Gaza are still under Israeli attack. The oppression continues. Until this violence stops, our work will not be done.”

Speaking to journalists at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka after returning to the country on Saturday, Shahidul Alam made these remarks.

The human rights activist said, “I was able to go, but many others could not. Many people contacted us hoping to join the mission, but we could not take them all. I believe that next time, we will go with thousands of flotillas. Until Palestine is free, our struggle will continue.”

He expressed his gratitude, saying, “The love of the Bangladeshi people made it possible for me to return. At the same time, the Turkish government and Turkish Airlines helped facilitate our return, for which we thank them.”

When asked by journalists about the obstacles he faced on his way to Palestine, he replied, “The flotilla we were part of was the largest one. It was allocated for journalists and health workers. Since journalists and healthcare professionals were the main targets of Israeli aggression, we were kept in a larger flotilla to avoid attacks.”

He continued, “What hurt me more than the physical abuse was when our country’s passport was thrown onto the ground. We must ensure justice for such humiliation. No nation should be allowed to insult us in this way and walk away unaccountable. I demand justice for this insult.”

Photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 4:55 am on Saturday aboard a Turkish Airlines flight. Earlier, on Friday at 2:25 pm local time (5:25 pm Bangladesh time), the Turkish Airlines flight carrying Shahidul Alam landed at Istanbul Airport from Israel, where he was welcomed by Bangladesh’s Consul General in Istanbul, Md. Mizanur Rahman. Later, he departed Istanbul at 6:45 pm local time for Dhaka on another Turkish Airlines flight.

The sea voyage toward Gaza was launched by a global platform called the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which aims to end Israeli atrocities in Palestine and break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza. Another initiative, A Thousand Madelines to Gaza, also joined the mission with eight vessels. In total, nine ships participated, carrying politicians, journalists, doctors, and human rights activists from various countries — including Shahidul Alam from Bangladesh. On Wednesday, Israeli forces attacked the flotilla and detained all the activists and crew members.

Shahidul Alam and many others were later taken to Ketziot Prison in Israel. Following his detention, the Government of Bangladesh engaged in diplomatic efforts through Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey to secure his release.

After being freed, Shahidul Alam travelled from Israel to Turkey. Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh, expressed his gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for helping secure Alam’s release and safe return from Israel.