Israeli prime minister shortens corruption trial session for ‘security talks’ on Gaza aid flotilla

Consultations tied to international aid ships heading to Gaza, Channel 12 says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a court session in his corruption trial on Wednesday to hold security consultations related to an aid flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip. Before the trial session began in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu asked to shorten Wednesday’s hearing to three hours, but judges rejected the request. He then asked to leave the courtroom for one hour to hold security consultations at the Defense Ministry and return later, which the judges approved, Channel 12 reported. Netanyahu faces charges of corruption, bribery and breach of trust in three cases that could lead to imprisonment if convicted. An indictment was filed by the attorney general in November 2019. The broadcaster said the security consultations Netanyahu held Wednesday were related to an international flotilla expected to reach Gaza. No immediate statement was issued by Netanyahu’s office regarding the outcome of the consultations. Ships of the Freedom Flotilla arrived Thursday evening at the port of Syracuse on the Italian island of Sicily after departing from Barcelona, Spain, on April 12 en route to Gaza. The initiative is the second for the Global Freedom Flotilla after a previous attempt in September 2025 ended with an Israeli attack on the vessels in October of that year while sailing in international waters, and the detention of hundreds of international activists on board before their deportation. The new voyage includes representatives of civil society organizations, activists and volunteers from various countries aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, leaving about 1.5 million Palestinians out of roughly 2.4 million homeless after their homes were destroyed during the war. A ceasefire was reached after two years of an Israeli genocidal war on Gaza that began Oct. 8, 2023, leaving more than 72,000 Palestinians dead and over 172,000 injured. The Gaza Strip continues to face an unprecedented humanitarian and health crisis, with widespread destruction of infrastructure, including hospitals and healthcare facilities. The enclave also suffers from strict Israeli restrictions on the entry of fuel and medical supplies, alongside severe shortages of medicine and equipment.