While the authorities did not publish the full list, the statement, as quoted by Turkiye Todaycharged the officials with “systematic violence against civilians in Gaza.”
Also Read: Iranian plot to kill Israel’s ambassador to Mexico contained, US official saysThe prosecutor’s offices mentioned the attacks spanning from October 2023 to March 2025, including those on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital on October 17, 2023, and that on Ebli Baptist Hospital three days later, both of which led to heavy civilian casualties. It also cited the “Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital”, built by Turkey in the Gaza Strip and bombed by Israel in March.
Israel’s reaction
Israel swiftly responded to the move, condemning it and rejecting the warrants. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the act a “PR stunt” by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Referring to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu earlier this year, he wrote on X, “In Erdoğan’s Turkey, the judiciary has long since become a tool for silencing political rivals and detaining journalists, judges, and mayors.”
“Israel firmly rejects, with contempt, the latest PR stunt by the tyrant Erdoğan,” he added.
Turkey has been keen to take part in the international stabilisation force intended to play a role in post-war Gaza, as per Trump’s plan. It also joined South Africa last year in the case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
Nevertheless, the timing of the arrest warrant is peculiar as they come when it’s only been a month since a fragile ceasefire deal was reached in the shattered Palestine region on October 10, 2025.
Also read: Israel launches more strikes on Gaza overnight, testing fragile truce
However, Hamas welcomed the arrest warrants from Turkey, saying the move “confirms the noble positions of the Turkish people and its leadership.”
First Published: Nov 8, 2025 11:56 AM IS
