Daijiworld Media Network - Ankara

Ankara, Nov 8: In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, Turkey on Friday announced that it has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several senior members of his government on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

According to a statement from the Istanbul prosecutor’s office, arrest warrants have been issued against 37 Israeli officials, including Defence Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. The full list of names has not been made public.

Turkish authorities have accused Israel of “systematically perpetrating genocide and crimes against humanity” in Gaza. The prosecutor’s statement also cited the bombing of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza in March, which was built with Turkish support.

Turkey had earlier joined South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide. The move further deepens Ankara’s criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

A fragile ceasefire has been in effect in the war-torn Palestinian territory since October 10 as part of US President Donald Trump’s regional peace plan.