Belgium has opened an investigation into far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over the alleged abuse of activists detained during Israel's interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla last month. The move follows similar probes launched by France and Italy, making Belgium the latest European country to pursue formal legal action over Israel's treatment of the more than 400 activists — nationals from over 40 countries — who were seized in international waters off Cyprus. The case centres in part on a video Ben-Gvir posted appearing to mock detained activists kneeling with their hands bound, and comes as the European Union weighs broader sanctions against the minister amid escalating concern over both the flotilla incident and surging violence in the occupied West Bank.