Gaza Genocideupdated 1h ago3 min read
Italy Investigates Israeli Officials Including Katz, Ben-Gvir Over Gaza Flotilla Torture And Kidnapping
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Rome prosecutors expand probe to 13 Israeli officials over Gaza flotilla mistreatment Katz and Ben-Gvir named in torture, kidnapping, and degrading-treatment allegations
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Italy expands flotilla probe
Italy’s Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office included 13 Israeli officials in investigations tied to the mistreatment of activists from the World flotilla to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, with the case expanding from a prior focus on Itamar Ben-Gvir. The Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office said the probe concerns suspicions of torture, kidnapping, bodily harm, theft, and other damages when Israeli forces intercepted two small flotillas heading to Gaza in 2025 and 2026. Investigators opened the case after complaints from 50 Italian citizens who were detained by Israeli authorities following two missions of the World flotilla to Gaza from September to October 2025, and from April to May 2026.
The Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation involves incidents that occurred outside the maritime zone, and the Italian newspaper La Repubblica said the probe includes generals, naval commanders, prison officials, and leaders of special units. The investigation also named Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff General Aviv Kochavi and Navy Commander David Saar Salam, and it listed Colonel Eitan Paz as responsible for the Ashdod base.
Named officials and allegations
ANSA said the Rome prosecutors placed about a dozen individuals under investigation in connection with the mission of the "Global Sumud Flotilla" in May, and it named National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Defence Minister Israel Katz. The Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office said the case targets members of the Israeli chain of command, and it described suspected torture, kidnapping, personal injury, robbery and damage during Israeli interceptions of Gaza-bound boats in 2025 and 2026. Investigators said the first mission’s detainees reported beatings, injuries, death threats, insults and accusations of terrorism, while the second mission’s detainees reported harsher treatment including beatings in the dark and the use of tasers and rubber bullets.
The Rome Prosecutor’s Office said it sent Israel a request for judicial assistance in June to reconstruct events and establish individual responsibility, and it said it held talks at Eurojust because similar investigations were under way in other European countries. Il Mattino said the investigation began after a complaint by 50 Italian citizens and that the boardings occurred in international waters, outside territorial waters and in violation of international maritime law.
Italy, video outrage, next steps
Italy’s government condemned the treatment of detained flotilla activists as “unacceptable” and summoned the Israeli ambassador after a video showed Ben-Gvir taunting Italian activists detained at the port of Ashdod. President Sergio Mattarella said the incident reached the "lowest" level, and TRT World said the probe had previously focused on Ben-Gvir before being widened to include Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz. TRT World said prosecutors opened the case after complaints from 50 Italian citizens detained during two Global Sumud Flotilla missions in September–October 2025 and April–May 2026, and it said prosecutors could formally request a trial if they determine that charges are warranted.
Il Mattino said the investigation was coordinated by Chief Prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi and Public Prosecutor Stefano Opilio, and it said investigators collected testimonies from participants stopped by Israeli authorities. The Rome Prosecutor’s Office said the activists were reportedly unable to communicate promptly with diplomatic representatives or with their lawyers, and it said the investigation also concerned the lack of medical assistance and the denial of essential foodstuffs to detainees.