France opens ‘war crimes’ probe into Israel’s treatment of Gaza activists

France has initiated a preliminary investigation into suspected “torture” and “war crimes” following allegations from French activists. These activists were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian aid mission bound for Gaza last month. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters on May 18, detaining approximately 430 individuals from around 40 countries, including over 30 French citizens.

Upon their return to France, eight activists described a violent and humiliating ordeal. Some recounted being groped and slapped in dark containers, fearing sexual assault. Others detailed being forced into painful “stress positions” for several hours, kneeling with their foreheads on the ground, while the Israeli national anthem played continuously. Two French activists are still hospitalized in Turkiye due to injuries sustained during their detention. The incident prompted France to ban Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, from entry after he publicly mocked the activists, and also to summon the Israeli ambassador.

An Israeli legal center, Adalah, states that this appears to be the most severe case of ill-treatment documented in the past decade, potentially amounting to torture. They have received reports of physical violence and sexual harassment. The activists plan to file their own complaints. However, they have refused to meet with the French government, claiming it supports Israel’s actions in Gaza. The Israeli prison service vehemently denies the alleged mistreatment, asserting that the accusations are “entirely without factual basis.”