Türkiye has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 36 other officials over their alleged roles in committing “genocide” and “crimes against humanity” in Gaza.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday that warrants were issued following an extensive investigation into what it described as Israel’s “systematic” attacks on civilians in the besieged enclave.

The probe began after complaints were filed by victims and representatives of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian humanitarian mission intercepted by Israeli naval forces while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.

According to the prosecutor’s statement, evidence gathered from victims, eyewitnesses, and international legal sources indicated that Israeli military and political leaders directly ordered and executed strikes on hospitals, aid convoys, and civilian infrastructure.

Citing specific incidents, the statement referred to the killing of six-year-old Hind Rajab, the bombing of the al-Ahli Arab Hospital that killed more than 500 people, and the attack on the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, among others.

The investigation also found that Israel’s blockade of Gaza “deliberately prevented humanitarian assistance from reaching civilians,” which Türkiye said constitutes an additional war crime under international law.

The suspects named in the warrants include Netanyahu, Defence Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi, and Navy Commander David Saar Salama.

As the individuals are not currently in Türkiye, the prosecutor’s office has requested international arrest warrants (red notices) for their detention and extradition.

The investigation, conducted with the cooperation of the Istanbul Police Department and the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), remains ongoing.

Türkiye said its legal actions are grounded in international humanitarian law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, reaffirming its commitment to accountability and justice for the victims in Gaza.

Last November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) also issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its ongoing war on the enclave.