An Istanbul court has opened the trial of 35 Israelis, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over allegations tied to the interception of the Gaza-bound Sumud flotilla. The hearing took place at the 11th Criminal Court in Istanbul on October 24, after the Israeli Navy intercepted the vessels bound for Gaza. The Turkish indictment accuses the defendants of offenses including torture, unlawful deprivation of liberty, causing injury, and aggravated robbery. After the first hearing, the court ordered Turkish authorities to check whether the defendants own real estate or other property in Turkey. The judges also upheld arrest warrants issued before the trial and kept requests for Interpol Red Notices on foot. There was no confirmation that Interpol has issued notices against the defendants. Flotilla participants who filed complaints against Israel attended the hearing, along with lawyers and representatives of Turkish organizations. None of the Israeli defendants were present, and the case is being conducted in absentia. The court asked the Istanbul prosecutor’s office to consider a new indictment covering alleged Israeli actions against Gaza’s civilian population beyond the flotilla interception. It said the current indictment focuses on the flotilla incident, while allegations about Gaza are described only in general and indirect terms. The judges also ordered authorities to identify additional people mentioned in complainants’ testimony, including individuals accused of mistreating complainants while they were held in Israel. The court further requested information from the International Criminal Court in The Hague through Turkey’s Justice Ministry. The next hearing is scheduled for March 30, 2027.