Turkey Issues Arrest Warrants Against Israeli Officials Over Gaza Conflict

Turkey has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several senior officials in his government over alleged genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the war in Gaza, escalating tensions between the two nations. The Istanbul prosecutor’s office confirmed that a total of 37 individuals were targeted, including Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. The full list of suspects has not been disclosed.

The move sparked an immediate and strong response from Israel. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the warrants, describing them as a “PR stunt” orchestrated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and rejecting the charges “with contempt.” Israel has maintained that its military actions in Gaza were lawful, citing security concerns and the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Turkey’s statement highlighted specific incidents, including the bombing of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza in March, which Turkey described as part of a broader pattern of systematic actions against Palestinians. Turkey has been a vocal critic of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and last year joined South Africa in taking a case accusing Israel of genocide to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Gaza since October 10 as part of a U.S.-brokered regional peace plan. The group Hamas welcomed Turkey’s announcement, calling it a “commendable measure” that reflects the commitment of the Turkish people and leadership to justice, humanity, and solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The issuance of the arrest warrants marks a significant diplomatic escalation, underscoring ongoing international scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza and Turkey’s prominent role in advocating for Palestinian rights on the global stage.