France requests investigation into treatment of activists intercepted in Gaza flotilla

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has formally requested that the public prosecutor's office investigate the treatment of French citizens who participated in a maritime flotilla mission to the Gaza Strip. The mission was intercepted by the Israeli Navy off the coast of Cyprus on May 18. A report from the French consulate in Turkey alleges that French activists were subjected to sexual violence, exposure to cold, beatings, and repeated humiliation during their detention. These allegations follow the release of footage by Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, which showed detained activists of various nationalities kneeling with their hands bound and their heads on the floor. While the French government seeks legal clarity on the conduct of Israeli authorities, the incident remains a point of diplomatic tension. The investigation aims to establish the facts surrounding the treatment of the individuals during and after the interception of the vessels. The French authorities are prioritizing the verification of claims regarding the physical and psychological abuse of their nationals.