France Opens Probe Into Alleged Mistreatment of Gaza Flotilla Activists

French anti-terrorism prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation on Friday into suspected torture and war crimes over Israel's alleged mistreatment of activists detained during a Gaza-bound aid flotilla last month. The national counterterrorism prosecutor's office said the probe was opened at the government's request after the foreign ministry referred the matter late last month.

Background on the Flotilla Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters on May 18 and detained about 430 activists from roughly 40 countries. The flotilla aimed to break the blockade on Gaza. Activists who returned to France on May 22 described what they called a violent and humiliating ordeal.

Several recounted being placed in stress positions for hours while the Israeli national anthem played repeatedly. Two French activists remained hospitalized in Turkiye after their release. The Global Sumud Flotilla documented at least 15 cases of alleged sexual abuse.

The Israeli prison service told AFP that the accusations were entirely without factual basis. UN expert Francesca Albanese stated that the treatment of the flotilla activists is a luxury compared to what is inflicted on Palestinians in Israeli prisons.

“Based on accounts received, and drawing on over a decade of representing flotilla participants, this appears to be the most severe case of ill-treatment documented in the past 10 years, potentially amounting to torture.”