Drik Director Shahidul Alam Says His Vessel Is Separate from Global Sumud Flotilla; Israel Detains Remaining Ships

Drik director and photographer Shahidul Alam says his group is operating separately from the Global Sumud flotilla bound for Gaza. He made the declaration in a video posted to Facebook on Friday afternoon. Minutes after he released the message, Israeli forces reportedly detained the flotilla’s last remaining ship.

Speaking in a live video from one of the Gaza‑bound boats before the detention, Shahidul gave the date as October 3, 2025, and described clear weather in what he called “Palestine time.” He said those sailing with the Sumud flotilla had taken a different route, while his team was travelling independently by design so they could act if the other convoy were intercepted. He added that he had learned all the Sumud vessels had been intercepted.

Shahidul said his group was travelling aboard the largest vessel in their convoy, accompanied by eight smaller boats that had left slightly earlier. “At present all nine of our craft remain free,” he said. “We are now in Palestinian time zone. There’s still some distance to go, but today we will pass with these eight smaller boats. After that this ship will be at the forefront. It’s clear any backlash will fall on us. But we are resolute — we will reach Gaza and will not accept any barrier.”

He was explicit that their mission was not a typical aid delivery. “The boats in the Sumud flotilla were tasked with carrying humanitarian supplies,” Shahidul said. “We are not going as an aid convoy. We are going to break an unlawful blockade.” He described the expedition as a political act of resistance rather than a relief run.

Shahidul said the flotilla included many journalists and medical professionals among its passengers. “There are journalists, doctors, and other activists on board. We are not going under the pretext of delivering aid — we are going to resist and to assert our right to be in Palestine. We will protest the killings: the number of journalists and medics killed by Israeli forces is unacceptable.” He referred to the reported killing of 14 Médecins Sans Frontières staff the previous night and said he expected action from France, but that words alone were no longer sufficient. “This is the time for action,” he added.

Addressing his supporters, Shahidul said that where political leaders had failed or compromised, ordinary citizens must act. “We will do what we can as citizens,” he said. “Your love and support inspire us.”

He noted weather conditions had been unexpectedly calm that morning, though he warned sea conditions could change rapidly; he also said he had briefly been unwell the previous day but was now recovered and ready. The video’s caption stated there were 96 people on board his ship, of whom 82 were media and medical professionals; the rest included organizers, members of the flotilla coordination committee and crew.