France launches probe into alleged torture of Gaza flotilla participants

France's anti‑terrorism prosecutor (PNA) opened a preliminary investigation on 1 July 2026 into alleged torture of two French nationals who were part of a Gaza‑flotilla intercepted between 1 and 7 October 2025. One of the complainants is LFI deputy Marie Mesmeur, who says she was held on the vessel for almost 24 hours and then detained for four days in Israel, suffering beatings, deprivation of water, food and medical care, a broken rib and bruises. The case has been assigned to the Central Office for the Fight against Crimes against Humanity. Israeli authorities deny the accusations. The probe follows a separate investigation opened in June 2026 concerning a different flotilla intercepted in May 2026, after the French foreign ministry reported the incident and provided consular assistance to the French citizens involved.