Türkiye issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israeli officials

An Istanbul court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 36 other senior officials, charging them with crimes against humanity and genocide. The warrants were granted on November 7, 2025, following a comprehensive investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into Israel's military operations in Gaza and its interception of the Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla.

Legal Basis and Specific Charges

The prosecution's case cites systematic genocide and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties and the destruction of residential areas. The charges are based on Articles 76 and 77 of the Turkish Penal Code, covering genocide and crimes against humanity respectively. The investigation also incorporates provisions from the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea regarding the flotilla incident in international waters.

Incidents Cited in Investigation

The prosecutor's statement detailed multiple specific incidents, including the killing of six-year-old Hind Rajab with 335 bullets in January 2024, the October 2023 attack on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital that killed 500 people, and the bombing of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in March 2025. The investigation also examined Israel's blockade of Gaza and the denial of humanitarian aid to civilians, alongside the attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla which was attempting to deliver aid.

Judicial Process and International Context

The Istanbul court determined that the suspects could not be apprehended as they are currently outside Türkiye. The investigation included medical and psychological examinations of flotilla victims conducted at the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute, with findings submitted to the prosecutor's office. The case represents one of the most significant international legal actions taken against Israeli officials amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, though practical enforcement remains challenging.