Key points: Turkish prosecutors in Istanbul issued arrest warrants for 37 people, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of "crimes against humanity" and "genocide" related to Gaza operations and an intercepted aid flotilla. Israel rejected the warrants as a "PR stunt," while Hamas praised the move. The action raises questions about Turkey's potential role in a proposed multinational stabilization force for Gaza and comes nearly a year after an ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
Turkey Issues 'Genocide' Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and 36 Israeli Officials
Key points: Turkish prosecutors in Istanbul issued arrest warrants for 37 people, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of "crimes against humanity" and "genocide" related to Gaza operations and an intercepted aid flotilla. Israel rejected the warrants as a "PR stunt," while Hamas praised the move. The action raises questions about Turkey's potential role in a proposed multinational stabilization force for Gaza and comes nearly a year after an ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
06:09, 08.11.2025Conflict
Turkey Issues 'Genocide' Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and 36 Others
Turkish prosecutors in Istanbul on Friday issued arrest warrants for 37 people, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing them of "crimes against humanity" and "genocide" in connection with operations in Gaza and the interception of an aid flotilla, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said.
Who is named: In addition to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the warrants name senior Israeli figures including Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and military chief Eyal Zamir, among others.
The prosecutor's office said the charges relate both to actions in Gaza and to an aid flotilla that Turkish authorities say was intercepted by Israeli forces last month.
Israeli response: Israel swiftly rejected the warrants. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar dismissed the move as a "PR stunt" and criticized what he described as the politicization of Turkey's judiciary under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, citing the earlier arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Reactions: Hamas welcomed the Turkish action, saying it "confirms the noble positions of the Turkish people and its leadership." Turkey's move has also prompted debate about Ankara's future role in efforts to stabilize Gaza.
Earlier this week, several Muslim-majority countries met in Istanbul to discuss an international stabilization force (ISF) for Gaza — part of a US-brokered ceasefire plan. The proposed temporary force would help train a Palestinian police force and assist in stabilizing the enclave. US officials have named Turkey as a potential participant because of its role in negotiations, but Israel has said it opposes Turkish troops operating in Gaza.
Turkish warrants arrive nearly a year after the International Criminal Court issued its own arrest warrant for Netanyahu on war crimes charges; Netanyahu's office called the ICC action "absurd and antisemitic." Turkish prosecutors did not immediately detail next steps or whether they had sought Interpol notices.
What this means: The warrants are a significant diplomatic escalation between Ankara and Jerusalem and could complicate coordination on any multinational security or stabilization efforts in Gaza. Enforcement would depend on jurisdictional and diplomatic factors, including whether named individuals travel to countries willing to act on Turkish warrants.