Overview
- The Istanbul prosecutor issued domestic arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity tied to actions in Gaza and the interception of an aid flotilla last month.
- Those named include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, IDF chief Eyal Zamir, and navy commander David Saar Salama.
- The filing cites strikes on hospitals, the January 2024 killing of six-year-old Hind Rajab, the Gaza blockade’s humanitarian impact, and alleged abuses against Global Sumud flotilla activists.
- Israel condemned the warrants as a propaganda maneuver by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while Hamas welcomed the decision.
- The step complicates talks on a U.S.-mediated plan for a temporary multinational force in Gaza, as Israel rejects Turkish troop involvement and U.S. officials say any foreign deployment requires Israeli consent.