Italy names Israel's Katz and military chief Zamir as suspects in flotilla-abuse probe

Italian prosecutors said on Friday they have placed Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and senior military, police and prison officials under investigation over the treatment of Gaza flotilla activists, expanding a case previously focused on far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Reuters reported.

The Rome prosecutors’ office said the probe concerns suspected torture, kidnapping, personal injury, robbery and damage when Israeli forces intercepted small fleets of boats headed for Gaza in 2025 and 2026. It was opened after complaints from 50 Italian citizens detained following two Global Sumud Flotilla missions, in September to October 2025 and April to May 2026.

Besides Katz and Ben-Gvir, prosecutors named 12 senior Israeli military, police and prison officials as suspects, including military chief Eyal Zamir. Activists from the first mission reported beatings, injuries, death threats and accusations of terrorism; those from the second reported harsher treatment, including beatings in the dark and the use of tasers and rubber bullets, prosecutors said.

Katz and Zamir did not immediately respond to requests for comment, Reuters reported. Ben-Gvir had dismissed the investigation in June, saying he would continue to stand by Israel’s fighters. Prosecutors said they sent Israel a request for judicial assistance in June; they did not say whether it had responded. Being named a suspect is a procedural step and not a finding of guilt.