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Italian Prosecutors Investigate Israel's Katz Over Gaza Flotilla Activists
· Confirmed
In Short: Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and 12 senior officials over alleged abuse of activists detained during Gaza-bound flotilla missions.
Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and 12 senior officials over alleged abuse of activists detained during Gaza-bound flotilla missions, according to Al Jazeera (Qatar) and NewsCord.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) reported that the investigation was initiated following complaints from 50 Italian citizens who were detained during two Global Sumud Flotilla missions in 2025 and 2026. The activists reported at least 15 cases of sexual assault, including rape, and beatings, injuries, death threats, and insults.
NewsCord confirmed that the alleged crimes include torture, kidnapping, and degrading treatment of Gaza flotilla activists. The first Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Barcelona in September 2025 with 42 boats and 462 activists, aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid.
According to Al Jazeera (Qatar), the activists were stripped, thrown to the ground, and kicked during their detention. TRT World reported that the Rome prosecutors’ office said the probe concerns suspected torture, kidnapping, personal injury, robbery, and damage during Israeli interceptions of Gaza-bound boats.
Israel National News (Israel) reported that the investigation has expanded to include IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other senior Israeli security officials. Several governments, including Italy, Germany, Ireland, and Canada, have publicly criticized Israel's handling of the flotilla operations.
Italian prosecutors have placed Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and 12 senior military, police, and prison officials under investigation, widening a probe that had previously centered on far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. TRT World reported that Italy’s government condemned the treatment as “unacceptable” and summoned the Israeli ambassador.
The Israel Prison Service stated that those detained were held “in accordance with the law, with full regard for their basic rights,” and received necessary and professional medical care, according to The Times of Israel (Israel).
Ynetnews reported that Israeli forces began intercepting vessels near the southern Greek island of Crete on April 30, detaining about 430 people on some 50 ships in international waters by May 19.
Algemeiner reported that 262 anti-Israel protests and events have been identified across 37 countries, with the United States, Spain, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Italy expected to see the highest number of demonstrations.
House Democrats on the Foreign Affairs Committee announced a hold on a planned sale of $2.8 billion in bombs to Israel amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to Justthenews.
Despite the disagreements over specific details, both Al Jazeera (Qatar) and NewsCord agree that the investigation centers on the alleged abuse of activists detained during Gaza-bound flotilla missions, involving Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and 12 senior officials.
What's confirmed
- The Rome prosecutors’ office said on Friday that the case concerns suspected torture, kidnapping, personal injury, robbery and damage when Israeli forces intercepted small fleets of activist boats heading towards Gaza in 2025 and 2026.
- It opened the investigation after complaints from 50 Italian citizens who were detained following two Global Sumud Flotilla missions last year and this year.
- Flotilla organisers say they aim to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid.
- Prosecutors said activists detained after the first mission in 2025 reported beatings, injuries, death threats, insults and accusations of terrorism.
- Italian prosecutors have placed Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and 12 senior military, police and prison officials under investigation over the treatment of activists detained on Gaza-bound solidarity boats, widening a probe that had centred on far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
What's still developing
- It comes as Democrats increasingly distance themselves from Israel and party activists call for a pivot away from the country.
- Published 16 Oct 2026, 18:06 UTC Updated 16 Oct 2026, 23:39 UTC Gaza Genocide updated 4h ago 3 min read This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets.
- However, according to The Forward, last week he said he “never encouraged them to protest,” but said they “have the right to do so in the city.” Last week, a group of Modern Orthodox Jewish teens protested the mayor’s stance on Israel in front of the mayor’s residence at Gracie Mansion.