Turkey issues arrest warrants against Netanyahu and 37 others on charges of genocide

According to the statement, a total of 37 Israeli officials have been charged, including Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. However, the full list has not been made public.

Turkey alleged that Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza since October 2023 constitutes “systematic genocide and crimes against humanity.” The prosecutor’s statement cited several incidents, including the October 17, 2023 Israeli attack on Gaza’s Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital that killed 500 people, and the February 29, 2024 deliberate destruction of medical equipment and blockade of humanitarian aid.

Turkey also noted that the “Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital,” built with Turkish funding, was severely damaged in an Israeli airstrike in March.

Israel dismissed the move as “political propaganda.” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Israel completely rejects this theatrical display with contempt and disgust. It’s just another stunt by dictator Erdoğan.”

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas welcomed Turkey’s decision, stating, “This reflects the Turkish people and leadership’s commitment to justice, humanity, and brotherhood.”

Earlier in 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes. That same year, Turkey joined South Africa in supporting the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

According to United Nations data, since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed at least 68,875 Palestinians and injured more than 170,000 others.