Turkish authorities have issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several senior officials of his government, accusing them of committing crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip. According to official documents, the investigation concerns systematic actions that, according to Ankara, have caused significant civilian casualties among Palestinians, reports Baltimore Chronicle with a reference to Guardian.
The list of 37 suspects, in addition to Netanyahu, includes Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli army, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. The Turkish prosecution has charged them with “genocide and crimes against humanity,” emphasizing that Israel allegedly systematically violates international humanitarian law during its operations in the Palestinian enclave.
The statement also mentions the destruction of the “Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital,” built by Turkey in Gaza, which was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in March this year. The Turkish authorities consider this incident further evidence of war crimes allegedly committed by the Israeli government.
Israel strongly criticized Turkey’s actions. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that the arrest warrants are nothing more than a “political stunt by tyrant [President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan” and have no legal basis.
Last year, Turkey joined South Africa’s lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing the Israeli military of actions that could be classified as genocide.
In parallel diplomatic efforts, negotiations continue to resolve the situation in the Gaza Strip. At the end of September, the White House presented a 20-point peace plan that calls for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages. Subsequent steps include the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian territory and the creation of a “deradicalized zone” that, according to the plan, will not pose a threat to neighboring countries.
Under this plan, Hamas members who renounce violence and surrender their weapons may be granted amnesty. On October 9, Hamas confirmed reaching an agreement with Israel and announced the end of the war in the Gaza Strip. As a result, all 20 surviving Israeli hostages were released. Then-U.S. President Donald Trump, who was in Israel at the time, confirmed the cessation of hostilities when asked by journalists whether the war in Gaza had ended.
Earlier we wrote that Netanyahu Meets Trump in Israel After Hamas Hostage Release Ahead of Gaza Summit.
