Italy expands Gaza flotilla probe to include Israeli defence minister
Italian prosecutors placed Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and other officials under investigation on Friday regarding the treatment of detained citizens.
Scope of the new inquiry
The Rome office now examines suspected torture, kidnapping, robbery and damage alongside previous charges. This action adds Katz to a list that earlier focused solely on national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Allegations from two missions
Complaints came from fifty Italian citizens detained after boats headed toward Gaza in late 2025 and early 2026. Activists described beatings, death threats and the use of tasers during their detention by Israeli forces.
Legal basis for trial
Prosecutors stated that Italian law allows them to prosecute crimes committed abroad against their own citizens. Investigators have identified specific individuals within the military and police chains of command involved in these operations.
All 2 outlets report consistently
No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.
- Dawn
- Middle East Eye
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