French anti-terrorism prosecutors announced Friday they have launched a preliminary investigation into allegations of torture and war crimes involving the treatment of French citizens by Israeli authorities during the interception of a Gaza-bound activist flotilla.
The flotilla participants said they were attempting to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza and protest Israel’s naval blockade of the Palestinian territory when Israeli forces intercepted their vessels.
According to the PNAT anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office, the investigation was initiated following a May 28 referral from the French foreign ministry under Article 40 of France’s criminal procedure code, which mandates that public officials report suspected criminal activity.
The inquiry focuses on allegations of torture and war crimes, with France’s central office for combating crimes against humanity and hate crimes, known as OCLCH, taking charge of the investigation.
Flotilla organizers claim activists faced mistreatment, with multiple individuals requiring hospitalization for injuries and at least 15 people reporting sexual assaults, including rape. All activists have since been freed from custody.
Israeli authorities have rejected these abuse allegations, and Reuters could not independently confirm the claims.
Several other Western nations, including Canada, Germany and Italy, have also criticized Israel’s handling of the activists.
