France Opens Criminal Probe Into Alleged Abuse of Gaza Flotilla Activists

Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the referral after reviewing a report from the French Consul General in Turkey. The document details horrific accounts of treatment aboard the vessels, including sexual assault and exposure to extreme cold. These allegations center on the May 18 interception of the flotilla, which was attempting to challenge the long-standing Israeli blockade of Gaza.

This legal action marks a significant escalation in the diplomatic fallout surrounding the incident. France has already imposed an indefinite travel ban on Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who shared footage of the detained activists bound and kneeling. The move aligns France with a growing international coalition, including Italy, Spain, and Turkey, where legal proceedings regarding kidnapping and assault are already underway. Meanwhile, Malaysia is preparing to challenge the conduct of Israeli forces at the International Court of Justice, as global pressure mounts against the treatment of international humanitarian workers.