• Turkey has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and 36 officials, citing genocide.
• The move is supported by Hamas and hailed by Palestine as a victory for justice.
• The warrants come amid accusations of systematic crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Turkey announced on Friday that it has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 36 senior officials, alleging genocide and crimes against humanity related to the ongoing Gaza conflict. Key figures named include Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and Army Chief Eyal Zamir, as detailed in statements from the Istanbul prosecutor’s office and reports from various agencies. The full list of names has not been disclosed, according to India Times, AA, and Al Jazeera.

The action follows accusations that Israel has conducted a systematic campaign of violence in Gaza, which included targeting civilians and humanitarian infrastructure. The Istanbul prosecutor's office referenced bombings of hospitals, particularly the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital. The Turkish statement asserted that Israeli actions have led to significant civilian casualties since the conflict escalated in October 2023, with estimates of nearly 69,000 Palestinians killed, according to Middle East Eye, India Times, and AA.

The Palestinian Authority expressed strong support for Turkey's decision, describing it as a significant advancement for justice and a challenge to global impunity for war crimes. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry emphasized that such legal actions must inspire other nations to hold Israeli officials accountable. "This courageous legal action represents a victory for the principle of justice and an embodiment of the will of free nations," the ministry stated, highlighting its importance in combating violations against the Palestinian people, according to AA and Al Jazeera.