Türkiye Issues ‘Genocide’ Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, 36 Israeli Officials
Türkiye has issued arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on charges of genocide in Gaza.
The move comes amid rising tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv as Israel opposes any role for Turkish troops in the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza.
Arrest Warrants
On Friday, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that it had issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and other 36 Israeli officials, including Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and military chief Eyal Zamir, reported CNN.
The Israeli officials face accusations of “crimes against humanity” and “genocide” that Israel has committed “systematically” in Gaza and against the aid flotilla that Israeli authorities intercepted last month.
Moreover, the Prosecutor’s Office’s statement mentioned the “Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital,” which Türkiye built in Gaza and Israeli forces bombed in March, according to AFP.
Israeli Rejection
Israel, for its part, rejected the arrest warrants, denouncing it as a “PR stunt” by the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“Israel firmly rejects, with contempt, the latest PR stunt by the tyrant Erdoğan,” the Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, posted on X, accusing the Turkish judiciary of serving as “a tool for silencing political rivals.”
The Turkish arrest warrants come almost a year after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, accusing him of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity over Israel’s war in Gaza.
Hamas Reaction
The Palestinian movement Hamas has welcomed the Turkish move, calling it a “commendable measure (confirming) the sincere positions of the Turkish people and their leaders, who are committed to the values of justice, humanity and fraternity that bind them to our oppressed Palestinian people.”
Türkiye played a key role in getting Hamas to agree to a ceasefire agreement with Israel in Gaza, alongside the US, Egypt and Qatar.
Ankara has also been a sharp critic of Israel over its war in Gaza. Last year, Türkiye joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Dispute over Gaza ISF
The Turkish arrest warrants raise doubts regarding the participation of Türkiye in the ISF in Gaza. The ISF is part of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, which took effect on October 10, 2025.
The force will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza. It will also pave the way for the disarmament of Hamas and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Türkiye has expressed interest in joining the force. However, Israel has repeatedly rejected any role for Turkish troops in Gaza due to Erdogan’s hostile stance towards Israel.
Commenting on the arrest warrants, Israel’s former Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said they “clearly explain why Türkiye should not be present in the Gaza Strip – directly or indirectly.”
Earlier, Netanyahu said that Israel would decide which foreign troops would join the ISF in Gaza. “We are in control of our security, and we have also made it clear regarding international forces that Israel will determine which forces are unacceptable to us, and this is how we operate and will continue to operate,” he noted.
