In a move that has sent ripples across the international community, Turkiye announced yesterday that it has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several senior officials in his government, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
The Istanbul prosecutor’s office stated that 37 Israeli officials were named in the warrants, though not all were disclosed publicly. Among those identified are Defence Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. The officials are accused of systematically perpetrating atrocities in Gaza — actions Turkiye says amount to genocide.
The statement also cited the bombing of the “Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital” in Gaza last March, a facility built by Turkiye to provide critical medical care to Palestinians.
Israel swiftly rejected the accusations. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the charges, calling them “the latest PR stunt by the tyrant Erdogan,” while accusing the Turkish judiciary of being politically influenced.
Meanwhile, Hamas welcomed the decision, calling it a “commendable measure” and praising Turkiye for standing up for “justice, humanity, and fraternity.”
Turkiye, one of the most vocal critics of the Gaza war, has consistently called for accountability. It previously joined South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which accuses Israel of genocide.
Israel, however, remains firm in its stance, labeling all such accusations “false” and “antisemitic.” Former foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman remarked that the warrants show “why Turkiye should not be involved in Gaza—directly or indirectly.”
As tensions escalate, Turkiye continues to push for a role in the proposed international stabilization force for post-war Gaza, even as Israel opposes any Turkish participation. The ongoing debate underscores the fragile balance of power and the deep divisions shaping the future of the Middle East.
At the heart of this storm lies a painful truth — while governments clash over politics and power, innocent civilians continue to bear the heaviest cost. History will remember not just the decisions of leaders, but the silence of those who chose not to act.
