Italy opens torture and kidnapping probe into Israeli minister Ben-Gvir over Gaza flotilla treatment

The investigation

Italian prosecutors in Rome have formally registered Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as a suspect in an investigation into the treatment of activists aboard the Gaza-bound Sumud Flotilla intercepted in international waters in May. The probe, confirmed by a judicial source on Monday, examines potential charges of torture and kidnapping of Italian citizens who were among the more than 400 activists detained. Prosecutors Stefano Opilio and Lucia Lotti, under chief prosecutor Lo Voi, are leading the case following complaints filed by activists upon their return from Israel.

I will not shy away from one investigation or another and will continue to stand proudly alongside our fighters.

The investigation also encompasses earlier flotilla missions from April and October 2025, with potential charges extending to damage resulting in shipwreck and theft. If prosecutors determine charges are warranted, they could lodge a formal request for trial.

The flotilla incident

Israel intercepted a humanitarian aid flotilla of more than 50 boats in international waters near Cyprus in mid-May. Organisers said the 430 activists detained by Israeli police included citizens of Italy and South Korea. The flotilla aimed to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian assistance, which aid bodies say remains in short supply despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in place since October 2025 that includes guarantees of increased aid. Israel maintains its blockade is lawful.

The video and allegations

Ben-Gvir posted a video on X showing detained activists kneeling with their hands bound at the port of Ashdod. In the footage, officers forced one activist to the ground after she chanted "Free, free Palestine." Activists have reported being subjected to taser shocks, struck with rubber bullets, harassed, and victims of sexual assault. At least 35 people suffered rib fractures and twelve complaints of sexual assault have been filed. Women were denied sanitary pads and medication was withheld.

They beat me, they beat Dario Carotenuto, and others were beaten much more than us. I saw people with possible arm and rib fractures. Almost everyone who passed through the entry container was beaten and we could hear the screams from outside.

International reaction

The government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the treatment of activists "unacceptable" and summoned the Israeli ambassador for an explanation. Italy subsequently asked the European Union to discuss sanctions against Ben-Gvir, with EU foreign ministers set to debate options put forward by High Representative Kaja Kallas at a meeting in Luxembourg on 15 June. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Ben-Gvir had "crossed a red line" with "unacceptable acts" violating "the most basic human rights."

France has already opened a formal judicial investigation through its national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office (Pnat) for suspected torture and war crimes, and has imposed a travel ban on Ben-Gvir. Both Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have distanced themselves from the minister's conduct.

Ben-Gvir's response

Ben-Gvir responded dismissively to the Italian investigation, posting on X: "The land of the boot has become the land of flip-flops." In a statement, he said Israel is "not a punching bag for a bunch of terrorist sympathisers who invent slander and lies against our fighters" and insisted he would not be intimidated by the probe.