Renowned Bangladeshi photographer and Drik Managing Director Shahidul Alam has been detained by Israeli forces from the ship Conscience, which was part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s mission to Gaza. In a video posted on Facebook Wednesday morning, Shahidul said that their vessel was intercepted at sea and he had been “kidnapped” by Israeli occupation forces. He urged global solidarity with the Palestinian struggle against genocide and oppression. The Times of Israel reported that the flotilla, consisting of nine vessels carrying over 100 activists, attempted to break through the Gaza naval blockade but was intercepted by the Israeli navy. Israeli authorities confirmed that all ships and passengers were safely taken to an Israeli port and would soon be deported. The flotilla had departed from Italy about two weeks ago, aiming to deliver humanitarian aid and draw attention to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

Four French lawmakers detained in Israel after participating in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have begun a hunger strike in solidarity with Palestinians, according to their party, France Unbowed. The group’s leader, Manon Aubry, told French radio that the detainees — François Piquemal, Marie Mesmayer, Rima Hassan, and Emma Fourreau — are being held in harsh conditions, with over ten people in a single cell and limited access to water. Aubry said communication has been minimal, only through lawyers and the French consul. France Unbowed urged the French government to secure the lawmakers’ release. The four were among 30 French nationals arrested when Israel intercepted the “Global Sumud Flotilla,” a convoy of 45 ships attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza in defiance of the blockade. The hunger strike highlights growing international concern over Israel’s treatment of pro-Palestinian activists and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has agreed to an initial phase of troop withdrawal from Gaza. He emphasized that a ceasefire would come into effect immediately once Hamas confirms it. Hamas has also accepted parts of Trump’s 20-point proposal, signaling progress toward halting the Israeli offensive. The White House had earlier released a map indicating the boundaries for the initial withdrawal, which would still leave Israel controlling approximately 55 percent of Gaza according to BBC Verify. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope that hostages held in Gaza could be released soon and stressed that Hamas has no choice but to accept the U.S. proposal under combined diplomatic and military pressure. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to ending Hamas’s control over Gaza and disarming the militant group, marking a potential turning point in the conflict.

Israel has carried out fresh airstrikes across Gaza, killing 46 Palestinians, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive to halt bombings following Hamas’s agreement to a ceasefire. The latest attacks, which continued from early Saturday to evening, included a deadly strike on a home in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood that killed 17 people from one family, among them women and children—the youngest just eight months old. Al Jazeera reports that three of the dead were waiting for aid. Gaza’s Health Ministry says the death toll since the war began on October 7, 2023, has now reached 67,074. The enclave faces severe famine, with two more people dying from hunger in the past 24 hours, raising starvation-related deaths to 459, including 154 children. The Israeli military has not commented on the recent operations.

Israel has sent 137 people detained from the Global Sumud Flotilla to Turkey, following the forcible interception of 443 activists in international waters. The detainees include citizens from the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Algeria, Mauritania, Malaysia, Bahrain, Morocco, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Turkey. Israeli commandos had earlier intercepted all ships of the Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla, detaining human rights activists on board, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. Many countries have condemned Israel’s actions as “acts of terrorism.” The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of more than 40 civilian vessels, aims to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and involves nearly 500 activists from 46 countries, including elected representatives, lawyers, doctors, and journalists. The first convoy sailed from Barcelona on August 31, with additional vessels joining from Tunisia, Sicily, and later from the Greek island of Samos.

Israel has deported 137 detainees from the Global Sumud Flotilla to Turkey, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Earlier, Israeli forces intercepted the humanitarian flotilla in international waters, detaining 443 people from 46 countries, including rights activists, lawyers, doctors, journalists, and European Parliament members. Among them was Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The flotilla, comprising over 40 civilian ships, was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s blockade. Many nations condemned Israel’s actions, labeling them as acts of aggression and a violation of international law. The first group of vessels departed from Barcelona on August 31, later joined by ships from Tunisia, Italy, and Greece. The detained individuals included citizens of the U.S., U.K., Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Algeria, Mauritania, Malaysia, Bahrain, Morocco, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Turkey. The deportation marks escalating tensions surrounding humanitarian efforts to reach Gaza amid ongoing conflict and global outcry.

Israel has launched a series of new airstrikes on Gaza, killing at least 20 people, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s direct order to cease attacks following Hamas’s partial acceptance of a U.S.-brokered peace proposal. According to Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal, last night was marked by intense bombings across Gaza City and other regions. Around 20 houses were destroyed in the strikes. The attacks came just as civilians had begun returning home after Trump’s call for restraint and Hamas’s conditional approval of the ceasefire plan. The Israeli military, however, claimed that ongoing operations in Gaza City made the area unsafe and urged residents to stay away. The renewed assault has raised fears among Gazans that hopes for peace and an end to the 30-month-long conflict may once again fade, undermining recent diplomatic efforts led by Washington.

Israel’s government has directed its military to halt its operation to seize Gaza following Hamas’s positive response to a U.S.-proposed peace plan. Army Radio reported that Israel’s political leadership instructed the military to scale down activities to a minimum and focus solely on defensive measures. Hamas has agreed to release all Israeli hostages, living and deceased, and expressed willingness to discuss a ceasefire and administrative handover. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated Israel is ready to implement the first phase of President Trump’s plan for immediate hostage release. Meanwhile, Trump urged Israel to stop bombing Gaza to ensure the safe evacuation of hostages, emphasizing that the ceasefire proposal aims not only to stabilize Gaza but also to achieve long-term peace across the Middle East. Talks on details and implementation have already begun.

Hamas has agreed to release all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 20-point Gaza peace plan. The group has also expressed willingness to engage in discussions on a ceasefire and administrative handover. Following Hamas’s positive response, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is ready to implement the first phase of Trump’s plan, aimed at immediately freeing all hostages. Israel emphasized cooperation with the U.S. to end the conflict in line with its policies, although the statement did not reference Trump’s call to halt deadly bombing in Gaza. Meanwhile, Trump urged Israel to stop airstrikes to ensure the safe release of hostages and expressed optimism about Hamas’s readiness for long-term peace. Detailed discussions on a ceasefire are underway, with the broader goal of achieving lasting peace across the Middle East.

The Israeli military has escalated attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip, killing 53 Palestinians in a single day. Israel has issued a final warning to residents of Gaza City to evacuate, threatening that those who remain will be considered terrorists or supporters of terrorism. Air and ground strikes have reduced Gaza City to rubble, forcing thousands to flee south, while many face attacks even while escaping. Since October 7, 2023, over 66,000 people have died and nearly 169,000 injured in ongoing hostilities.

Shahidul Alam, director of Drekar and photographer, posted a video update from the Global Sumud flotilla en route to Gaza late on October 1. He said the flotilla is at sea and that news arrived of an attack on the vessel Alma; soon after, signals from that area were lost. All ships have gathered and crew members are deeply concerned. Alma had been at the front, while their ship is the largest and at the rear, raising fears that any attack could reach them. As evening fell they encountered a heated, stormy sea with lightning and are trying to move forward quickly despite being at the back. Alam accused Israeli forces of using attacks to intimidate and asked people to urgently also inform their home countries, show solidarity with the flotilla, and said he will pass messages to those affected.

Israel has intercepted 13 ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla in the Mediterranean, detaining more than 200 people from 37 countries attempting to break the blockade of Gaza. Among the detained are 30 from Spain, 22 from Italy, 21 from Turkey, and 12 from Malaysia. Despite the crackdown, flotilla organizers said around 30 more boats are still advancing toward Gaza, determined to deliver humanitarian aid. The Global Sumud Flotilla began its journey on August 31 from Barcelona, later joined by vessels from Tunisia, Italy, and Greece. With over 40 ships and participants from 44 countries, including European lawmakers, activists, doctors, and journalists, the mission seeks to challenge Israel’s long-standing blockade on Gaza. Israel claims links between the flotilla and Hamas but has provided no evidence. The convoy was expected to reach Gaza Thursday morning if unhindered.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying over 500 passengers including activist Greta Thunberg, is approaching Gaza with more than 50 vessels to challenge Israel’s blockade that has worsened famine conditions. Organizers report the flotilla entered Israel’s declared danger zone, raising fears of interception. Israeli media reveal preparations to detain hundreds on board, deport them, and potentially sink some ships too large to tow. Commandos and warships are expected to lead the operation, possibly during Yom Kippur. Earlier, an Israeli warship jammed communications and engines of the flotilla’s lead vessel, forcing activists to discard their phones into the sea for security. Though briefly disrupted, the flotilla resumed sailing. The move underscores growing international resistance against the Gaza blockade and potential escalation if Israel proceeds with forceful measures.

A recent survey by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reveals that prolonged reserve duty in the Gaza war has deeply strained family life. Nearly half of soldiers’ wives reported marital crises, and over one-third considered separation or divorce. The longer the duty, the greater the strain—up to 57% among those serving 200–350 days. Children have also been severely affected, with 52% of families citing mental health deterioration, rising to 63% for long-duty households. Around 61% of spouses sought some form of help—emotional, financial, or professional mental health care. Most families depended on relatives or friends, with varying reliance across religious groups. Government aid was uneven; 30% received support from the IDF and 23% from local authorities. While 87% accessed financial aid from the National Insurance Institute, single or divorced mothers were disproportionately excluded.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apologized to Qatar after an airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in Doha killed a Qatari national.

The apology was conveyed during a phone call with Qatar’s Prime Minister while Netanyahu was meeting former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. According to a White House statement, Netanyahu expressed “deep regret” that a Qatari soldier was unintentionally killed in the missile strike. He also admitted that targeting Hamas leaders during hostage negotiations violated Qatar’s sovereignty and pledged such actions would not be repeated.

Qatar’s foreign ministry confirmed the apology was accepted. The Qatari leadership also thanked U.S. President Trump for reaffirming Washington’s commitment to Qatar’s defense partnership and for assurances that further aggressions would be prevented.