French prosecutors have opened an investigation into war crimes and torture linked to Israel's treatment of French nationals who participated in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, as scrutiny grows over the mistreatment of activists intercepted during efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to the blockaded Palestinian enclave.
The probe was opened at the government's request, the national counterterrorism prosecutor's office (PNAT) said, after activists accused Israeli authorities of mistreatment during their detention last month.
Israel detained more than 430 activists from countries around the world after intercepting them in international waters on May 18 as they made the latest in a string of attempts to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, sparked widespread condemnation after he posted a video mocking the flotilla activists while they were bound.
France banned Ben Gvir from entry over the incident.
