Italian prosecutors investigate Israel Katz over alleged flotilla abuse

Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and 12 senior military, police and prison officials over alleged abuse of activists detained on Gaza‑bound solidarity boats.

The Rome prosecutors’ office said the probe, announced on Friday, concerns suspected torture, kidnapping, personal injury, robbery and damage following interceptions of two Global Sumud Flotilla missions in 2025 and 2026. The investigation was triggered by complaints from 50 Italian citizens who were detained during the missions.

Activists from the first mission in 2025 reported beatings, injuries, death threats, insults and accusations of terrorism. Those from the second mission in 2026 alleged harsher treatment, including beatings in the dark, use of tasers and rubber bullets, and at least 15 cases of sexual assault, including rape.

Among those named as suspects is Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir. Italian economist Luca Poggi, who was detained, told Reuters in May that “we were stripped, thrown to the ground, kicked.”

The first flotilla set sail from Barcelona in September 2025 with 42 boats and 462 activists; Israeli forces intercepted it in international waters in early October. The second mission left Barcelona in April 2026 and was intercepted near Crete, with about 430 people detained by 19 May.

Prosecutors have requested judicial assistance from Israel and have discussed the case with Eurojust. Under Italian law, crimes committed abroad against Italian citizens can be prosecuted in Rome, and if charges are substantiated, a formal trial request may follow.

Source: Al Jazeera. Photo: Rian Daud7 / Pexels.