Turkiye issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, 36 Israeli officials over ‘Genocide in Gaza’
Türkiye’s Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 36 senior Israeli officials, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity committed during military operations in the Gaza Strip.
According to Turkish media, the warrants name top Israeli figures including Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. The move follows an investigation launched under Turkey’s “universal jurisdiction” laws after numerous complaints were filed regarding civilian deaths in Gaza.
The prosecutor’s office stated that the suspects are accused of “intentionally targeting civilians, using disproportionate force, and destroying vital infrastructure” during the ongoing conflict.
Israel has condemned the decision, calling it “a political maneuver with no legal basis.” Turkish officials, however, described it as a “moral and legal responsibility to uphold international justice.”
The warrants, while largely symbolic due to jurisdiction limits, mark a major escalation in diplomatic tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv.