Turkiye issues arrest warrant for Israel’s Netanyahu over Gaza ‘genocide’
Turkey says it has issued arrest warrants for genocide against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials.
Among the 37 suspects listed are Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, according to a statement released Friday by the Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office, which did not release the full list.
Turkey has accused those responsible of “genocide and crimes against humanity” that Israel has “systematically perpetrated” in its war against Gaza since October 2023.
“The October 17, 2023 attack on al-Ahli Baptist Hospital left 500 dead; on February 29, 2024, Israeli soldiers deliberately destroyed medical equipment; …Gaza was placed under blockade and victims were denied access to humanitarian aid,” it reads.
The statement also refers to the “Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital,” built by Turkiye in the Gaza Strip and bombed by Israel in March.
Israel denounced the decision as a “publicity stunt”.
“Israel strongly rejects, with contempt, the tyrant’s latest public relations stunt [President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan,” Foreign Minister Gideon Saar posted on X.
The Palestinian group Hamas welcomed the announcement, calling it a “commendable step”. [confirming] the sincere positions of the Turkish people and their leaders, attached to the values of justice, humanity and fraternity which bind them to our oppressed Palestinian people.”
Turkey’s announcement comes almost a year after the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, for alleged “war crimes.”
Last year, Turkey also joined South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 68,875 Palestinians and injured 170,679 since October 2023.
