17.10.2026 14:01
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has also been included in the investigation opened in Italy into the mistreatment of activists detained on the Global Sumud Flotilla boats heading to Gaza. The file also includes 12 senior military, police, and prison officials.
In Rome, the capital of Italy, the investigation launched due to the ill-treatment of activists detained by Israel in international waters on board the Global Sumud Flotilla boats that set off toward Gaza last year has been expanded.
TORTURE, KIDNAPPING, INJURY...
In a statement from the Rome Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has also been included in the ongoing investigation concerning the treatment of activists detained on solidarity boats heading to Gaza. It was reported that 12 senior military, police, and prison officials are also included in the file. It was noted that the investigation is linked to suspicion of torture, kidnapping, injury, and robbery during the interception by Israeli forces in 2025 and 2026 of the flotilla consisting of activist boats heading toward Gaza.
Among the suspects in the investigation opened were Israel's far-right National Security Minister Ben-Gvir and Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.
Under Italian law, prosecutions can be held in Rome for crimes committed abroad against Italian citizens. If the investigation determines that the charges are justified, prosecutors can formally request a trial.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The first Global Sumud Flotilla set off from Barcelona in September 2025 with 42 boats and 462 activists; Israeli forces stopped the flotilla in international waters in early October and detained hundreds of people, later deporting them. The second mission set off from Barcelona in April 2026. Israeli forces began stopping the boats near the island of Crete in southern Greece on April 30 and, by May 19, had detained about 430 people on approximately 50 vessels in international waters. The last interceptions took place off Cyprus.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had published a video mocking activists in a prison at the Port of Ashdod whose hands and feet were tied with cables and who were kneeling.
The incident had drawn reactions from many countries, including Italy. Following complaints by 50 Italian citizens detained in the Global Sumud Flotilla, an investigation had been launched in Italy. Italian prosecutors stated that activists detained after the first mission in 2025 had been beaten, injured, received death threats, been subjected to insults, and been accused of terrorism. Those on the second mission in 2026 stated that they had received harsher treatment, including being beaten in the dark and the use of electroshock devices and plastic bullets. The activists reported at least 15 cases of sexual assault, including rape.