A Turkish court began proceedings on Friday against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 34 other Israeli officials over alleged crimes committed during attacks on humanitarian aid flotillas attempting to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, in a legal push to hold senior Israeli political and military figures accountable for alleged violations against civilian activists.

The case, heard by Istanbul’s 11th High Criminal Court on Oct. 23, concerns Israeli forces’ interception of Gaza-bound civilian vessels in international waters, the detention of activists and allegations of torture, unlawful deprivation of liberty, genocide and crimes against humanity. The defendants are being tried in absentia, according to reports on the proceedings.

The indictment names 35 defendants, including Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and senior military officials. Prosecutors allege that Israeli forces carried out an organized intervention against civilian vessels and deprived activists of their freedom, with some allegedly subjected to physical abuse and degrading treatment. These allegations have yet to be established through a final court judgment.

The proceedings mark a significant legal challenge to Israel’s actions against international civilian initiatives seeking to deliver humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, where the blockade and repeated military assaults have contributed to a devastating humanitarian crisis.

Flotilla activists seek accountability for alleged abuses

The case centers on attacks against the Global Sumud Flotilla and other humanitarian vessels attempting to reach Gaza and challenge Israel’s naval blockade.

The flotilla initiative brought together activists, humanitarian volunteers and other civilians from multiple countries who sought to deliver assistance and draw international attention to conditions in the besieged Palestinian territory.

According to the indictment, Israeli naval forces intercepted the vessels in international waters, detained passengers against their will and transferred some of them to Israel. The case examines allegations that activists were subjected to violence and other mistreatment during the operation and subsequent detention.

The charges include genocide, crimes against humanity, torture, unlawful deprivation of liberty, aggravated robbery, property damage and the unlawful interception or detention of vessels.

Turkish prosecutors have sought severe penalties, including aggravated life imprisonment and lengthy prison terms, reflecting the gravity of the alleged offenses.

The proceedings also raise broader questions about the protection of humanitarian missions, the treatment of civilians in detention and the legal responsibilities of officials who allegedly planned or directed military operations against civilian vessels.

Italy expands investigation into senior Israeli officials

In a separate development, Italian prosecutors have expanded an investigation into alleged abuses against Italian participants in Global Sumud Flotilla missions, adding Defense Minister Israel Katz, military chief Eyal Zamir and other senior Israeli officials to the inquiry.

The investigation, which initially focused on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, concerns allegations including torture, kidnapping, bodily injury, robbery and property damage during Israeli interceptions of Gaza-bound flotillas in 2025 and 2026.

The case followed complaints by 50 Italian citizens who said they had been detained by Israeli authorities. Participants reported alleged beatings, threats and degrading treatment, while some activists involved in a later mission described more severe abuse, including the alleged use of electric shocks and rubber bullets.

Italian prosecutors have also sought information from Israel and consulted European judicial cooperation authorities as investigations into similar incidents continue in other countries.

Being named as a suspect in the Italian investigation does not establish guilt, and the inquiry has not automatically resulted in a trial.

International legal pressure grows over Gaza blockade

The parallel proceedings in Türkiye and Italy reflect growing efforts to pursue legal accountability for alleged abuses against activists attempting to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Flotilla organizers have maintained that their missions aim to challenge restrictions on humanitarian access and draw attention to the suffering of Palestinians under Israel’s blockade. Israel, for its part, maintains that its naval blockade is lawful.

The legal disputes extend beyond the treatment of individual activists to questions concerning the interception of civilian vessels in international waters, the protection of humanitarian operations and the potential criminal responsibility of senior officials.

For Palestinians facing severe shortages of essential supplies and the consequences of prolonged military operations, efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance have become a central focus of international solidarity campaigns.

The Turkish case and the Italian investigation could add to the legal and diplomatic pressure on Israeli officials, although the ultimate consequences will depend on the evidence, judicial decisions and the ability of authorities to enforce any resulting rulings.

As the proceedings move forward, the central issue remains whether those accused of ordering or carrying out abuses against civilian humanitarian activists can be held accountable under the law, regardless of their political or military positions. (ILKHA)