On October 16, the Rome prosecutor's office announced the expansion of an Italian investigation into allegations of torture and sexual violence against activists aboard a humanitarian aid train bound for Gaza, allegedly committed by Israeli security forces. Earlier in early 2026, the inquiry was launched after about 50 Italian citizens—participants in global «Sumoud Fleet» missions—complained of mistreatment in Israeli detention camps, including, according to them, at least 15 cases of sexual violence and rape. Initially, the focus of the investigation was centered on far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

From One Minister to a List of 13 High-Ranking Officials

According to the Rome prosecutor's statement, the circle of suspects now includes Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and 12 other high-ranking officials from the country's military, police, and prison systems. Thus, Italian investigators have moved from examining the actions of a single minister to covering an entire chain of responsibility—from military command to the administration of detention facilities. Katz himself, as well as General Eyal Zamir, commander of the Israeli army who is also under investigation, have not provided substantive comments at the time of publication.

What Detained Activists Report

According to data outlined in the prosecutor's statement, activists arrested after the 2025 campaign reported being beaten, injured, threatened with death, insulted, and accused of terrorism. Participants of the second campaign, according to them, faced even harsher treatment by Israeli security forces, including beatings in the dark, the use of tasers and rubber bullets. A reminder of the scale of operations: in October 2025 and May 2026, Israel intercepted dozens of ships in international waters, arresting more than 800 volunteers from various countries trying to break the Israeli naval blockade of Palestinian territories.

Legal Grounds and Potential Consequences

Italian law allows for the prosecution of crimes committed abroad against Italian citizens—precisely on this basis Rome can pursue a case against foreign officials. If the investigation concludes that the allegations are well-founded, Italy could formally demand the criminal prosecution of Israeli officials. This turns a national investigation into a potential instrument of international pressure that goes beyond standard diplomatic reaction.

Israel's Position

Israel has repeatedly denied allegations of mistreatment of activists and called the delivery of humanitarian aid a political provocation aimed at supporting the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The Israel Prison Service stated that detainees are held in custody «in accordance with the law, with full respect for their fundamental rights». The country also argues that the blockade of the Gaza Strip is necessary to prevent weapons from entering the territory and denies delaying supplies for Palestinians.

Context: Blockade, Displacement, and Casualties

According to the UN, since the start of the conflict in October 2023, nearly 2 million people have been displaced in the Gaza Strip. The local health ministry reported that over the past three years, more than 74,000 Palestinians, including at least 21,000 children, have been killed in the enclave as a result of Israeli airstrikes and ground attacks. Israel deployed troops to the sector in response to the Hamas offensive, which reportedly killed about 1,200 people and took 250 hostage. Despite a US-mediated ceasefire agreement that was supposed to take effect in the territory starting in October 2025, more than 1,500 people have died.