Turkey issues genocide arrest warrant for Netanyahu, 37 Israeli officials

Turkish government has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 37 senior officials, accusing them of committing genocide and crimes against humanity during military operations in Gaza.

The warrants were issued Friday by Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, reports CNN.

Among those named are Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Interior Minister Ya’al Zamir.

Turkish authorities allege the officials were directly involved in atrocities in Gaza and in obstructing international humanitarian aid flotillas.

Israel strongly condemned the move, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accusing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of using Turkey’s judiciary as a political tool against opponents and calling the warrants a “public relations stunt.”

Turkey, which earlier joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, issued the warrants amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

Hamas welcomed the decision, calling it proof of Turkey’s moral stance on the Gaza issue.