French anti-terrorism prosecutors announced on Friday they had opened a preliminary investigation into suspected torture and war crimes following alleged mistreatment by Israeli authorities of French nationals involved in an activist flotilla bound for Gaza.
The probe was initiated after Israel intercepted the flotilla, which activists claimed aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s naval blockade of the Palestinian enclave. The PNAT anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office opened the investigation following a referral from the French foreign ministry on May 28 under Article 40 of France’s criminal procedure code.
The investigation concerns suspected torture and war crimes, with investigations entrusted to the OCLCH, France’s central office for combating crimes against humanity and hate crimes. Activists reported abuse, several were hospitalized with injuries, and at least 15 reported sexual assaults, including rape. Israeli authorities denied these allegations, which Reuters could not independently verify.
Other Western countries, including Canada, Germany, and Italy, also condemned Israel’s treatment of the activists.