Turkey announced on Friday that it has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several top Israeli officials on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said 37 warrants were filed under Article 13 of Turkey’s penal code, allowing the country to prosecute crimes committed beyond its borders. Ankara’s move has deepened its confrontation with Israel over the humanitarian crisis that has been unfolding in Gaza.
What are the Charges & Their Basis
The statement of the Turkish prosecutor highlighted several key incidents, including the October 17, 2023, strike on Gaza’s al-Ahli Baptist Hospital that took at least 500 lives. It also made a mention of alleged attacks on medical facilities and the destruction of humanitarian infrastructure, including the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, bombed in March 2025.
It accuses Israel of imposing a total blockade on Gaza, cutting off aid and supplies, and intentionally targeting civilians. These have been branded by Ankara as violations of international law and human decency.
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Israel Strongly Denies
Israel has dismissed the charges outright, calling them a political performance by what it described as Erdogan’s oppressive regime. The Israeli government said Turkey’s announcement carries no legal weight and accused Ankara of using the conflict for political gain.
Israeli officials went criticizing the human rights record of Turkey, saying the move reflects hypocrisy, not justice. Rhetoric from both sides suggests already frayed diplomatic ties will worsen in the weeks ahead.
Hamas & the Islamic World Respond
Hamas quickly welcomed the announcement, in a statement issued by the group’s spokesperson, describing it as a commendable and courageous step. It praised President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish people for their commitment to justice and solidarity with the oppressed.
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Hosting Islamic world diplomats earlier this month underlined Turkey’s intention to position itself as a key player in shaping Gaza’s post-war landscape. The meeting took place amidst a fragile ceasefire, brokered by the U.S. which remains strained by renewed hostilities.
What is the International Context
This development comes almost a year after the ICC issued its own arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024. Despite that, Netanyahu has continued international travel, including to Hungary and the United States.
While ICC member states are legally obligated to act on such warrants, Hungary openly defied the order, and the U.S. not being a signatory to the Rome Statute has dismissed the ICC’s actions as outrageous.
The intervention by Turkey may not change immediately the movements of Netanyahu, but it has restarted the global debate over accountability, sovereignty and the limits of international justice.
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Disclaimer: This report is based on verified official statements and international media sources; it does not endorse any political stance or allegation.
