Türkiye issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, 36 others over genocide

Türkiye on Friday issued arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials within his government over their role in “genocide” in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

The warrants were issued as part of an investigation into alleged war crimes and atrocities committed during Israel’s attacks in Gaza. 

Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said on Friday it has issued arrest warrants for 37 suspects, including Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Katz, Eyal Zamir and David Saar Salama on charges of “genocide” in Gaza.

Turkiye has accused the officials of “genocide and crimes against humanity” that Israel has “perpetrated systematically” in Gaza.

The statement also refers to the “Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital”, built by Turkiye in the Gaza Strip and bombed by Israel in March.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

A fragile ceasefire has been in force in the devastated Palestinian territory since Oct. 10 as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s regional peace plan.