ISTANBUL: Turkey on Friday issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several senior officials over alleged “genocide and crimes against humanity” during the war in Gaza. The move targets 37 individuals, including Defence Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir.
The Istanbul prosecutor’s office cited Israel’s bombing of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza in March as part of the grounds for the charges. Turkey has been a vocal critic of the Gaza conflict and last year supported South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
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Israel sharply rejected the move. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the warrants a “PR stunt” by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while former foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman criticized Turkey’s potential involvement in an international stabilisation force in Gaza, citing its close ties with Hamas. Saar also condemned Turkey’s judiciary, pointing to its recent detainment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Hamas welcomed Turkey’s announcement, describing it as a confirmation of the Turkish people’s commitment to justice and solidarity with Palestinians. Meanwhile, a fragile ceasefire has been in place in Gaza since October 10 under US President Donald Trump’s regional peace plan.
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The development highlights ongoing tensions between Ankara and Jerusalem, as Turkey seeks to play a role in post-war Gaza reconstruction, a move Israel views with suspicion due to Ankara’s alignment with Hamas.