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On June 5, 2026, the French National Antiterrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) announced a preliminary investigation into the treatment of French activists by Israeli authorities during a maritime interception in May 2026. The PNAT initiated this inquiry following a formal referral from the French Foreign Ministry, representing a significant shift in the use of domestic judicial mechanisms to address alleged violations of international law by a state partner. The investigation focuses on allegations of torture, war crimes, and sexual violence arising from the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla en route to the Gaza Strip. This operation led to the detention of over 400 international activists, including French, Italian, Spanish, and Australian nationals. The flotilla, intercepted in international waters, aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to address the ongoing crisis in the enclave.