The Istanbul General Prosecutor's Office issued arrest warrants this Friday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 36 other senior officials of the state of Israel, on charges of "genocide and crimes against humanity", in connection with the military operations undertaken in the Gaza Strip since October 2023.
According to the official announcement, the list of persons against whom arrest warrants have been issued includes Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Borders and Security Minister Eyal Zamir, and Naval Forces Commander David Saar Salama.
The investigation conducted by the Turkish authorities focuses on acts that the Prosecutor's Office describes as "systematic and deliberate violence against Palestinian civilians" in the Gaza Strip. The investigative file mentions a series of serious events, including the attack on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital on October 17, 2023, as well as the damage to Ebli Baptist Hospital on October 21, 2023, which caused dozens of civilian casualties.
Also, one of the key points of the indictment is the killing of employees of the humanitarian organization "World Central Kitchen" on April 1, 2024, during aid missions in Gaza. According to the Prosecution, Israeli forces have deliberately targeted civilian personnel and infrastructure essential for the survival of the population, including blocking humanitarian aid and restricting access to essential medical services.
The investigation document also includes statements issued by the “Sumud Flotilla” organization, which had attempted to send humanitarian aid to Gaza via sea routes. The investigation was opened following several complaints filed in Istanbul courts on 4, 7, 9 and 10 October 2025, and was conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
The prosecution stressed that the arrest warrants were issued in accordance with applicable international and national legal procedures, underlining that the charges include “acts that constitute crimes against humanity and require continued investigation and criminal punishment of those responsible.”
Turkey has been among the countries that have taken a critical and harsh stance towards Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which began after Hamas attacks in southern Israel in October 2023. As a result of the escalation of the conflict and the increasing number of Palestinian civilian casualties, Ankara has suspended diplomatic and trade relations with Israel, continuously demanding an international investigation into the crimes committed against the population of Gaza.
