In a move that has shaken international diplomacy, Turkiye announced that it has issued arrest warrants for genocide against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several senior members of his government over their actions in the ongoing Gaza war.
The Istanbul prosecutor’s office confirmed that a total of 37 Israeli officials are named in the warrants, including Defence Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, the current army chief. These officials are accused of committing “genocide and crimes against humanity” in Gaza — acts Turkiye claims have been “systematically perpetrated.”
The charges also highlight the destruction of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza, built by Turkiye and bombed earlier this year. The symbolic site has since become a rallying point for Turkish and international voices calling for justice and accountability in the war-torn enclave.
Israel responded with sharp condemnation. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed the move, calling it “the latest PR stunt by the tyrant Erdogan.” He accused Turkiye’s judiciary of being “a political weapon,” citing the controversial detention of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, as evidence of judicial manipulation.
Meanwhile, the Islamist group Hamas welcomed Turkiye’s decision, praising it as a “commendable measure confirming the sincere positions of the Turkish people and their leaders.”
Turkiye has long been one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and last year joined South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide. Despite a fragile ceasefire reportedly in effect since October 10, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, fueling further tensions across the region.
As part of the proposed regional peace plan, Turkiye has expressed interest in joining an international stabilisation force for post-war Gaza — a move Israel staunchly opposes, citing Ankara’s close ties with Hamas.
Israel continues to reject all accusations of genocide, describing them as “false” and “antisemitic.”
