Turkey issues new arrest warrant for Israel's Netanyahu

ANKARA,— Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced Friday that his country has issued an international arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The warrant stems from a formal investigation into Israel’s seizure of a humanitarian aid flotilla intended for Gaza.

Turkey has already issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other senior officials, accusing them of what it described as “genocide” in connection with Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.

This latest action represents another escalation in the rapidly deteriorating relationship between Turkey and Israel.

On October 7, 2023, the Islamist radical Arab group Hamas launched an Islamic State-style attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in 251 people being taken hostage.

Israeli also accuses Hamas fighters of committing sexual violence, including rape, during the attack. This assault triggered the military conflict that followed in Gaza.

Since then, pro-Muslim Brotherhood Turkey and Israel have grown increasingly hostile toward each other.

Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal (left) meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Istanbul, Turkey, 2024. Photo: Turkish Presidency

Turkey’s position on the matter has become notably aligned with Gazans’ interests.

Turkey, a hub for Muslim Brotherhood groups, has allowed Hamas leaders to operate from its territory, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has publicly supported the radical Islamist militant organization.

The United States, Canada, Egypt, the European Union, Israel, and Japan all classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Israel’s ambassador to the United States said in September 2025 that even if an airstrike on Qatar that week failed to kill Hamas leaders, Israel would succeed in future attempts.

The ambassador stated that Israel will pursue and destroy Hamas leaders wherever they are located, saying, “We will pursue them, and we will destroy those who seek to destroy us.”

In response to the conflict, Turkey has severed trade connections with Israel and suspended direct airline flights between the nations.

The history between these countries over pro-Gaza Arabs maritime missions extends further back. In 2010, a similar confrontation occurred when Israeli naval forces stormed a flotilla heading to Gaza.

That incident resulted in the deaths of ten Turkish activists in a violent clash with Israeli military personnel, creating a significant diplomatic crisis at that time.

On the international stage, the International Criminal Court issued its own arrest warrant for Netanyahu on November 21, 2024.

The court alleges he committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, specifically citing starvation tactics, murder, persecution, and deliberate attacks targeting civilians.

(With files from Agencies)