Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

There has been a recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after a long period of tension. After this, Turkey has now taken action against Israel. Turkey announced on Friday that it has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials of his government on genocide charges.

According to a statement from the Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office, Turkey has issued arrest warrants for a total of 37 suspects on charges of genocide. This list includes Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Army Chief Lieutenant General Eyal Jamir. The complete list has not been made public yet.

Turkey accused Israel

Turkey has accused these officers of “systematic genocide and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza”. The statement also mentioned the “Turkey-Palestine Friendship Hospital”, which was built by Turkey in the Gaza Strip and which was destroyed in a bombing by Israel in March.

Last year, Turkey also took part in the South African case in which Israel was accused of genocide in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Israel’s Foreign Minister commented

After issuing the arrest warrant from Turkey, the statement of Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has now come to light. He said on X, Israel strongly rejects this new publicity stunt of dictator (President Recep Tayyip) Erdoğan.

Saar said in a social media post that in Erdogan’s Turkey the judiciary has now become just a tool used to silence political opponents and detain journalists, judges and mayors. He also cited the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu earlier this year.

The arrest warrants have been issued by Turkey at a time when a fragile ceasefire is in force in the Palestinian territories since October 10 under the regional peace plan of former US President Donald Trump.

Hamas’s reaction came to light

Meanwhile, Hamas has welcomed this step of Türkiye. Hamas responded to the move by saying that the arrest warrants confirm the great humanitarian spirit and high principles of the Turkish people and its leadership.

Earlier this week, several Muslim-majority countries gathered in Istanbul to discuss the International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza. It is believed that this force will play an important role in the 20 point Gaza peace plan presented by Donald Trump earlier this year.

However, US Vice President J.D. Vance said that Israel’s consent would be necessary for the deployment of any foreign troops in Gaza.