Italy probes Israel’s Katz over abuse, sexual assault of flotilla activists

Rome prosecutors also name 12 senior military, police and prison officials over alleged abuse of detained activists.Published On 16 Oct 202616 Oct 2026Italian 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.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.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Gaza flotilla activists allege abuse, sexual assault in Israeli detentionlist 2 of 3Italy’s foreign minister slams Israel’s Ben-Gvir over ‘flip-flop’ commentslist 3 of 3‘Active in BDS’: Document reveals how Israel scrutinised global NGOsend of listIt opened the investigation after complaints from 50 Italian citizens who were detained following two Global Sumud Flotilla missions last year and this year.Those named as suspects include Israeli military chief Eyal...