Italy investigates Israel’s Ben Gvir over alleged mistreatment of Gaza flotilla activists

Italian prosecutors have placed Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir under investigation over the alleged mistreatment of Gaza flotilla activists detained after Israeli forces intercepted their vessels at sea, according to judicial sources and Italian media reports.

The investigation concerns allegations including torture and kidnapping, according to Italy’s ANSA news agency.

The activists included several Italian nationals who were among more than 430 people detained after Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters in May.

The case centres partly on videos published by Ben Gvir last month, showing dozens of detained activists kneeling on the ground with their hands bound.

In the footage, filmed at or near the Israeli port of Ashdod, Ben Gvir is seen walking among the detainees, waving an Israeli flag and taunting them.

The images prompted immediate international condemnation and public criticism from senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

According to ANSA, the Rome investigation has been under way for several weeks. Prosecutors are also examining possible allegations of sexual violence and other abuses reported by activists after their release.

Italian participants who returned home said they had been beaten and humiliated while in Israeli custody. Flotilla organisers said several activists were hospitalised after their deportation, including some who were taken to hospital in Turkey.

The Israel Prison Service has denied the allegations, saying all detainees were held in accordance with the law and with respect for their basic rights. It said they received necessary and professional medical care.

Asked about claims of physical and psychological violence, sexual harassment, assault and rape, the service described the accusations as entirely without factual basis.

Ben Gvir dismissed reports of the Italian investigation. “Israel isn’t a punching bag for a gang of lying terror supporters who invent libels and lies against our fighters,” he said. “I am undeterred by this sort of investigation and will continue to stand proudly with our fighters.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla had set out to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid and to challenge Israel’s blockade of the territory.

Organisers said the mission aimed to establish a humanitarian corridor and deliver supplies to Gaza, where aid agencies have continued to report shortages despite a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has been in place since October 2025.

Israel has rejected the flotilla’s stated purpose, describing it as “a PR stunt at the service of Hamas”. Israeli officials have said such flotillas usually carry only symbolic quantities of aid and that organisers refuse to hand over supplies for overland transfer into Gaza.

The interception of the flotilla and the subsequent videos triggered a diplomatic response across Europe. Italy summoned Israel’s ambassador after the footage emerged. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said it was unacceptable that activists, many of them Italian citizens, were subjected to treatment that violated human dignity, and said Italy demanded an apology.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also called for European Union sanctions against Ben Gvir.

ANSA reported that EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas agreed to put the proposal forward for discussion at the Foreign Affairs Council. Italy’s request was supported by several other countries, according to diplomatic sources cited by the agency.

France has opened a separate investigation into alleged torture and war crimes relating to the treatment of French citizens who took part in the flotilla.

The French national counterterrorism prosecutor’s office said the probe was opened at the request of the government after activists accused Israeli authorities of mistreatment during their detention.

The video also drew criticism from within Israel’s government. Netanyahu said Israel had the right to prevent what he called provocative flotillas from reaching Gaza, but said Ben Gvir’s conduct was not in line with Israel’s values and norms. He said he had instructed authorities to deport the detained activists as soon as possible.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar issued a sharper rebuke, accusing Ben Gvir of harming Israel through a disgraceful display. Ben Gvir rejected the criticism and defended his conduct in parliament, saying any apology to the activists would amount to weakness and surrender.

Other European governments also protested. France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Canada summoned Israeli representatives or demanded explanations from Israeli authorities. Ireland said it had sought assurances that its citizens were being treated with dignity and in accordance with international law. Germany and Belgium also condemned the scenes shown in the video.

The flotilla included activists from dozens of countries.

Organisers said the vessels were intercepted in international waters as they approached Gaza. Israeli forces transported the detainees to Ashdod before deportation proceedings began.

The incident comes amid continuing international scrutiny of Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Israel has maintained a maritime blockade of the territory since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 and says the measure is necessary to prevent weapons from reaching the group.

Critics say the blockade amounts to collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population.

The latest flotilla mission followed previous attempts to reach Gaza by sea.

Rome prosecutors are also examining alleged crimes connected to earlier flotilla interceptions, including incidents in April 2026 and autumn 2025, according to ANSA.

No charges have been announced against Ben Gvir.

Under Italian procedure, an investigation does not necessarily lead to prosecution. Prosecutors must determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed formally with charges.