Italian prosecutors have expanded a criminal investigation into alleged mistreatment of Gaza flotilla activists, naming Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and several senior military, police and prison officials as suspects.
The investigation, announced Friday by the Rome prosecutors’ office, follows complaints from 50 Italian citizens detained by Israeli authorities during two Global Sumud Flotilla missions in 2025 and 2026.
Authorities are examining allegations of torture, kidnapping, physical assault, robbery and property damage linked to Israel’s interception of vessels attempting to reach Gaza.
The case initially focused on Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir but has now widened to include Katz, Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir and 12 senior officials from Israel’s military, police and prison services.
According to Italian prosecutors, activists detained during the September-October 2025 flotilla mission reported physical assaults, injuries, death threats, verbal abuse and accusations of terrorism.
Participants in the April-May 2026 mission described more severe treatment, alleging that Israeli personnel carried out beatings in darkened areas and used tasers and rubber bullets against detainees.
Investigators are examining the Israeli military and police chains of command to determine whether individual officials bear criminal responsibility for the alleged abuses.
Katz and Zamir did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Ben-Gvir previously rejected concerns surrounding the investigation in June, declaring that he would continue supporting Israeli security personnel.
Italian prosecutors also revealed that they requested judicial assistance from Israel in June to obtain evidence and reconstruct the circumstances surrounding the flotilla interceptions. Officials did not confirm whether Israeli authorities had responded.
The investigation has attracted broader European attention, with Italian prosecutors consulting Eurojust, the European Union’s judicial cooperation agency, about similar investigations underway in other European countries.
Italian legislation permits authorities in Rome to prosecute certain crimes committed overseas against Italian nationals.
However, being formally investigated does not establish guilt or guarantee criminal proceedings. Prosecutors must first determine whether sufficient evidence exists to request a trial.
Global Sumud Flotilla organizers maintain that their missions sought to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s maritime blockade. Israeli authorities insist the naval blockade is lawful.
The expanding Italian investigation could intensify legal scrutiny of Israeli officials across Europe as prosecutors assess allegations involving the detention and treatment of international humanitarian activists.
