France opens war crimes probe over Israel's seizure of Gaza flotilla
What's new: French investigators are examining alleged torture and sexual abuse of French activists detained after the May 18 interception.
French anti-terrorism prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into suspected torture and war crimes tied to Israel's interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that included French nationals. The probe followed a referral from France's foreign ministry and was assigned to the office that handles crimes against humanity cases. Activists said Israeli forces stopped the flotilla in international waters on May 18 after it sailed from Barcelona on April 15, then detained more than 430 people before releasing and deporting them. Several French participants described beatings, humiliating treatment and sexual assault. Israeli authorities rejected the allegations, calling them baseless. France also barred Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering the country over the incident.