Key facts
- France has launched an investigation into alleged mistreatment of activists.
- The probe concerns French nationals aboard a flotilla bound for Gaza.
- Allegations include suspected torture and war crimes by Israeli authorities.
- The investigation follows Israel's interception of the flotilla.
French anti-terrorism prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into suspected torture and war crimes. This probe concerns the alleged mistreatment by Israeli authorities of French nationals who were part of an activist flotilla bound for Gaza. The investigation was initiated following Israel's interception of the flotilla. The activists stated their intention was to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and to challenge Israel's naval blockade. The specific details of the alleged mistreatment and the circumstances of the interception are central to the ongoing investigation. Israel faces mounting international outrage over allegations of rape, beatings and humiliation of international activists detained on a flotilla attempting to break its naval blockade of Gaza.