Türkiye has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 36 senior officials, citing alleged crimes in Gaza, claims Israel rejects.
An Istanbul court issued the warrants on Friday following a request from the city’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, which said it is investigating possible genocide and crimes against humanity under Turkish law.
The suspects named include Defence Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, and Navy Commander David Saar Salama.
Turkish authorities allege a pattern of violations in Gaza since October 2023, including attacks on civilians and medical facilities. The prosecutor’s statement referenced incidents such as strikes on hospitals, including the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in 2025, and the blockade of humanitarian aid.
The probe also includes a separate case involving the Global Sumud aid flotilla, which Türkiye says was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. Turkish officials cited allegations of unlawful detention, property damage, and obstruction of humanitarian delivery.
Investigators said medical and psychological reports were taken from Turkish citizens affected by the flotilla interception after they were returned home.
The prosecutor's office stated the suspects are not currently in Türkiye, leading the court to issue the warrants in absentia.
Israel has repeatedly rejected accusations of genocide, arguing its military actions in Gaza are part of its self-defence strategy against Hamas.
Türkiye joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice last year, reflecting a deepening legal and diplomatic rift between Ankara and Tel Aviv.
A ceasefire has been in place in Gaza since 10 October under a U.S.-backed regional plan, though political tensions remain high.
AnewZ has premiered The Oligarch’s Design, a long-form investigative documentary marking the launch of AnewZ Investigations, the channel’s new edi...
The foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand have told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that they are willing to pursue a ceasefire, as tensions fla...
The Conservative Party says it would cut funding for green energy projects and redirect the money into defence, arguing the UK needs to be ready for w...
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s first official visit to Japan marks a notable moment in relations between the two countries, reflecting a s...
An international scientific-practical congress marking the 90th anniversary of the Azerbaijan State Advanced Training Institute for Doctors named afte...
Türkiye has enhanced its environmental and cultural conservation efforts, registering 10,503 monumental trees and 319 caves nationwide.
A mass wedding brought together 203 grooms and 203 brides in the Zawayda area of the central Gaza Strip on 18 December. The ceremony was organised by the Turkish Ribat Association.
The fourth European Conference on Azerbaijani Studies was held in Vienna, Austria, on 5 December, by the European Network for Azerbaijani Studies and the Strategic Consultancy Group.
Türkiye says it aims to increase trade with Turkic states to $60 billion in the medium term and $100 billion in the long term, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Monday.
Ukraine has welcomed the European Union’s decision to provide €90 billion in support over the next two years, calling it a vital lifeline even as the bloc failed to reach agreement on using frozen Russian assets to finance the aid.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that attempts to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine are being undermined by Russia’s continued refusal to engage meaningfully in negotiations.
Petroleum products are being transported by rail from Azerbaijan to Armenia for the first time in decades. The move is hailed as a tangible breakthrough in efforts to normalise relations between the long-time rivals.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a wide-ranging address from the White House in which he sought to highlight what he described as his administration’s achievements while laying the groundwork for his plans for the year ahead and beyond, on Wednesday (18 December).
A rare pair of bright-green Nike “Grinch” sneakers worn and signed by the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant have gone on public display in Beverly Hills, ahead of an auction that could set a new record for sports memorabilia.
The foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand have told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that they are willing to pursue a ceasefire, as tensions flared along parts of the two countries’ shared border.
The Conservative Party says it would cut funding for green energy projects and redirect the money into defence, arguing the UK needs to be ready for war.
The European Union is facing mounting political pressure over its ability to keep Russian sovereign assets frozen, as internal divisions, leadership changes and war fatigue reshape decision-making across the bloc.
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s first official visit to Japan marks a notable moment in relations between the two countries, reflecting a shared interest in deepening cooperation.
The long-running geopolitical tug-of-war over the world’s most popular short-form video application appears to have reached its finale, resolving a five-year saga that bridged two US presidencies and a brief nationwide service blackout.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment