Bangladeshi photojournalist and human rights activist Shahidul Alam returned to Dhaka early Saturday (October 11), following his release by Israeli authorities and a brief transit through Istanbul, Türkiye.

Alam, who had been held by the Israeli military earlier this month while attempting to breach the Gaza blockade, was welcomed by Bangladesh Consul General Mohammad Mizanur Rahman upon his arrival in Istanbul on Friday afternoon. 

He boarded a Turkish Airlines flight and landed in Dhaka early the next day, according to a statement from the Drik Picture Library, the independent media organisation he founded.

Alam was among 145 volunteers from 30 countries detained by Israeli forces while aboard the vessel Conscience, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC). 

The flotilla, which included the Eight Thousand Madleens, was reportedly intercepted in international waters — approximately 120 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza — on 8 October.

Meanwhile, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was reached on Thursday with mediation led by US President Donald Trump. The agreement followed a sharp escalation in violence and credited Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye for their diplomatic roles in brokering the deal.

SMS/