Turkish Minute : The İstanbul chief public prosecutor has issued detention warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 36 other senior officials on accusations Named suspects include Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi and Navy Commander David Saar Salama. The prosecutor requested international notices for the suspects, who are outside Turkish jurisdiction.
Prosecutors say the file cites mass civilian deaths, obstruction of aid, the October 17, 2023 strike on the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital and the March 21, 2025 bombing of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, along with the blockade of Gaza, as evidence of genocidal acts.
Jurisdiction is asserted under Articles 12 and 13 of the Turkish Penal Code and Article 15 of the Criminal Procedure Code, with references to international humanitarian law.
The investigation began after the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted in international waters in October. Survivors brought to Turkey gave statements as victims and complainants, and medical and psychological reports were filed. The investigation is proceeding with the İstanbul Police and the National Intelligence Organization (MİT).
This is not the first time Turkish authorities have pursued legal action against Israeli officials.
In 2010 Israeli commandos raided the Mavi Marmara ship in international waters, killing 10 people and triggering Turkish indictments in absentia for four former Israeli commanders.
In June 2016 Israel and Turkey reached a normalization deal under which Israel transferred $20 million to a Turkish government account for distribution to victims’ families, while Turkey committed to passing a law prohibiting criminal and civil claims against Israeli soldiers and preventing future suits. Payment was completed in September 2016.
Following the deal and the new legal bar, an İstanbul court dropped the Mavi Marmara case in December 2016 and revoked warrants for the accused Israeli officers, a move that drew strong objections from victims’ families and their lawyers.
The new warrants come weeks after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan praised US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire effort, which sparked a backlash accusing Erdoğan of legitimizing a plan critics view as coercive for Palestinians.
Critics have also contrasted Ankara’s rhetoric with its actions, noting that trade with Israel continued despite the government’s announcement of an embargo in May 2024.
of genocide and crimes against humanity tied to Israel’s campaign in Gaza and the interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla.
