Protection Minister Israel Katz and senior navy, police and jail officers have been positioned underneath investigation in Italy over the therapy of Gaza flotilla activists, Italian prosecutors stated on Friday.
The transfer expands an investigation that was beforehand targeted on far-right Nationwide Safety Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The case issues suspected torture, kidnapping, private damage, theft and harm when Israeli forces intercepted small fleets of boats headed in direction of Gaza in 2025 and 2026, the Rome prosecutors’ workplace stated in a press release.
Investigators opened the probe after complaints from 50 Italian residents who had been detained by Israeli authorities following two International Sumud Flotilla missions in September to October 2025 and April to Might 2026.
Katz didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. Ben-Gvir in June dismissed information that he was underneath investigation, saying he would “proceed to face proudly alongside our fighters.”
Demise threats and beatings
Prosecutors stated activists detained after the primary mission had reported beatings, accidents, demise threats, insults and accusations of terrorism.
Activists concerned within the second mission reported even harsher therapy, together with beatings in the dead of night, using tasers and rubber bullets, the assertion stated.
Investigators had recognized numerous people forming the navy and police chains of command concerned within the operations, prosecutors stated.
In addition to Katz and Ben-Gvir, prosecutors named 12 senior Israeli navy, police and jail officers as suspects, together with navy chief Eyal Zamir.
Zamir additionally didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Prosecutors stated they’d despatched Israel a request for judicial help in June, in search of info wanted to reconstruct occasions and set up particular person duty. They didn’t say whether or not Israeli authorities had responded.
The prosecutors stated in addition they held talks with the European Union’s judicial cooperation company, Eurojust, as a result of comparable investigations into the 2 flotilla missions had been underway in different unnamed European nations.
Beneath Italian regulation, crimes dedicated overseas in opposition to Italian residents could be prosecuted in Rome.
Being positioned underneath investigation in Italy doesn’t suggest guilt and doesn’t routinely result in a trial. Nonetheless, if the probe determines that fees are warranted, prosecutors may lodge a proper request for trial.
Flotilla organizers say they aimed to interrupt Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian help. Israel says its naval blockade on Gaza is lawful.
