Madrid: Spain's National Court has commenced an investigation into senior Israeli military officials following the alleged illegal detention of activists during the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla. The probe is specifically focused on incidents involving vessels flying the Spanish flag, as reported by the newspaper El Pais.

According to Anadolu Agency, the investigation was initiated after complaints were filed by the Communist Party of Spain, United Left Federal, and several activists against Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Israeli Navy Commander Ram Rothberg. The complaints center on the interception of the Global Sumud flotilla, which was transporting humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip when it was halted by Israeli forces on October 1.

The court ruling indicates that Israeli forces boarded multiple vessels in international waters, approximately 70 nautical miles from the coast, including ships under the Spanish flag. The judge noted that the complaints accuse Israeli personnel of forcibly taking control of these vessels, causing property damage, and illegally detaining crew members, including numerous Spanish citizens.

Further allegations from the plaintiffs suggest that the detainees were subsequently held at Israel's Ketziot Prison, where they reportedly faced torture and were denied proper legal and diplomatic support. Judge Francisco de Jorge has also sought clarification from the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on whether these alleged illegal detentions are part of its ongoing investigations into purported Israeli genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in the Palestinian territories, or if the Spanish court proceedings might interfere with those investigations.