‘Conscience’ to reach ‘red zone’ early tomorrow morning, Shahidul Alam says

The Conscience, a part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), is expected to reach the 'red zone' early tomorrow morning, Bangladeshi activist Shahidul Alam has said in a Facebook post today (Tuesday).

The flotilla, carrying journalists and medics, is continuing its voyage despite the threat of interception by the Israeli military, which has previously seized vessels attempting to break the siege of Palestine, according to the photographer.

“We are on board the Conscience which is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC). Vessels of the earlier Sumud flotilla, also part of the FFC, which also tried to break the siege of Palestine, have all been captured by the Israeli military. We are proceeding regardless”, Shahidul said in his post.

He further stated that Conscience is made up mostly of journalists and medics, as these are the two professional groups that Israel have specifically targeted killing journalists and health workers at a frequency unprecedented in history.

“We are somewhat behind schedule as we decided not to leave behind the boats of the 'Thousand Madleens' smaller and slower vehicles which are also part of FFC, though we have progressed much faster than the Sumud Flotilla which had faced temporary stoppages due to high winds and a significant storm”, the activist said.

He further mentioned that the slower boats had now caught up with them and they were about 70 nautical miles from the 'red zone', the region where the IDF had, in the past, illegally intercepted previous flotillas.