Diplomatic Correspondent

Efforts are underway to free Bangladeshi journalist and writer Shahidul Alam, who has been in an ‘Israeli prison’, with the help of Turkey, according to a Facebook post shared on the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Friday.

Turkish authorities have expressed hope that Shahidul Alam may be flown to Ankara on a special aircraft later today (Friday), although they have not provided full assurance, read the post quoting Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Turkey Amanul Haque.

He informed the authorities concerned on Thursday night.

Following Shahidul’ s illegal detention by Israeli authorities, Bangladesh embassies in Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey have been instructed to work with local foreign ministries for his immediate release and remain in constant contact with relevant authorities.

In a video message circulating on social media on Wednesday, renowned photographer Shahidul claimed that he has been ‘kidnapped by the Occupation Forces of Israel’ while travelling by sea in their flotilla heading towards Gaza.

Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups that organised civilian maritime missions, said that the Israeli forces attacked its convoy of aid boats and seized several vessels en route to Gaza.

According to the FFC, Israeli forces first targeted The Conscience -- a vessel carrying 93 journalists, doctors, and activists before intercepting three smaller boats on Wednesday.

Israel and Hamas on Thursday made a ceasefire deal through the intervention of US President Donald Trump, who credited Egypt, Qatar and Turkey for their initiatives to end the prolonged war between Israel and Hamas.