Italy probes IDF chief, defense minister over Gaza flotilla activists' torture

Italian prosecutors have placed Defense Minister Israel Katz and senior military, police, and prison officials under investigation regarding the treatment of Gaza flotilla activists. According to the Jerusalem Post, this expands a previous investigation that had focused on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The probe follows complaints from 50 Italian citizens detained during two Global Sumud Flotilla missions occurring between September and October 2025 and April and May 2026.

The investigation covers allegations of suspected torture, kidnapping, personal injury, robbery, and damage. Haaretz reports that the allegations range from beatings and death threats to sexual abuse, noting that Italian prosecutors have requested assistance from Israel to establish individual responsibility.

The Jerusalem Post states that activists from the first mission reported injuries, insults, death threats, beatings, and accusations of terrorism. Those involved in the second mission reported harsher treatment, including the use of rubber bullets, tasers, and beatings in the dark. Similar probes are currently underway in Europe, according to Haaretz.

Brief written by urgent.news from Haaretz, Jerusalem Post — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.