Istanbul: The Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office issued arrest warrants for 37 suspects accused of "genocide" in Gaza, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office stated in a press release last night that, at the request of the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Criminal Court of Peace issued arrest warrants for 37 suspects accused of "genocide" in the Gaza Strip, including Netanyahu.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the statement added that the warrants were issued for the suspects for committing "crimes against humanity" and "genocide" in Gaza, as well as for targeting the "Global Freedom Flotilla" attempting to break the Gaza blockade. The State Attorney's Office explained that, in light of evidence obtained from the testimonies of activists from the "Global Freedom Flotilla" who arrived in Turkey last October, it was established that Israeli state officials bear criminal responsibility for the systematic "crimes against humanity" and "genocide" committed in Gaza, as well as for the actions taken against the flotilla.

On October 1st, the Israeli military attacked 42 ships belonging to the flotilla as they sailed in international waters toward Gaza, arresting hundreds of international activists on board and transferring them to Ketziot Prison before beginning their deportation on October 3rd. The State Attorney's Office added that the duty magistrate in Istanbul issued arrest warrants for 37 suspects, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The indictments also included Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Navy Commander David Saar-Salama, on charges of crimes against humanity under Article 77 of the Turkish Penal Code, and genocide under Article 76 of the same law. The Attorney General's office stated that the investigations are continuing thoroughly, comprehensively, and on multiple fronts.

Netanyahu had said on Thursday that Turkey "has adopted a very hostile stance against Israel and Zionism in recent years." It is worth noting that the Turkish government announced on May 2nd of last year the complete suspension of all import and export operations with Israel until a permanent ceasefire was declared and humanitarian aid was allowed to flow uninterrupted into the Gaza Strip.