Italian prosecutors open an expanded investigation into the treatment of Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israeli authorities, naming senior Israeli officials including Defence Minister Israel Katz. The inquiry follows complaints filed by Italian citizens who say they were among those detained after two Global Sumud Flotilla missions.

The Italian investigation, according to prosecutors, was first directed more narrowly at Itamar Ben-Gvir, and it now widens to include additional senior military, police and prison officials. Local reporting describes the trigger for the probe as complaints lodged by about 50 Italian citizens detained following the flotilla attempts.

Across outlets, the key focus is the prosecutorial action in Italy and the expansion of who is being investigated, rather than any final determination of wrongdoing. The allegations concern alleged torture and mistreatment, with the matter now at the investigative stage in Italy’s judicial process.