Italy probes Israel's Katz over Gaza flotilla activist abuse

· Politics · Italy · Israel

Rome prosecutors placed Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and 12 senior military, police and prison officials under investigation over the treatment of Gaza flotilla activists, Italian prosecutors said Friday. The probe covers alleged abuse and sexual assault of detained activists. It marks an unusual legal move by a European Union member against senior Israeli officials, and adds to international scrutiny of Israel's handling of the flotilla, which aimed to challenge its blockade of Gaza.

Why it matters：A European prosecution of senior Israeli officials raises the stakes of legal accountability over the Gaza conflict and could strain Israel's ties with EU states.

Key points

  • Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and 12 officials are under investigation in Italy.
  • The probe covers alleged abuse and sexual assault of detained flotilla activists.
  • The flotilla sought to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza.

Sources (original reporting)

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