France has asked its public prosecutor to look into the treatment of French nationals who were apart of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla seized by Israeli troops last week.

"Based on a report I requested from our Consul General in Turkey, who informed me of sexual violence, exposure to the cold, beatings, and repeated humiliation of French nationals, all of these acts are likely to constitute criminal offenses (and) I decided yesterday to refer the matter to the public prosecutor," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told France Inter radio.