France's anti-terrorism prosecutor has opened an investigation into suspected torture and war crimes over Israel's controversial treatment of Gaza aid flotilla activists
The Paris anti-terrorism prosecutor's office said on Friday that the case has been handed to the central unit for crimes against humanity.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot referred the matter to the judiciary after the French consul general in Turkey spoke of sexual violence, beatings and humiliation suffered by French activists aboard the Gaza aid flotilla. Israel denies the allegations of physical and sexual violence.
Israel stopped the Gaza aid flotilla, comprising more than 50 vessels, in international waters near Cyprus in mid-May. Around 430 activists had sought to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry described the flotilla as "a PR stunt in the service of Hamas."
A video posted by Israeli Minister for National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing detained Gaza activists in a humiliating manner, subsequently sparked international outrage.
The footage shows the minister walking among a group of supporters and between bound activists while waving an Israeli flag.
France summoned the Israeli ambassador in protest at the incident and imposed a travel ban on Ben-Gvir.
