In addition to Netanyahu, 36 other high-ranking Israelis, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have also become subjects of the warrant. Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, is also mentioned in this list.
The prosecutor's document claims that the actions of Israeli authorities in the Gaza Strip have led to the deaths of thousands of people, including women and children, as well as the destruction of residential neighborhoods. It also mentions the incident involving the "Freedom Flotilla," whose vessels, according to the Turkish side, were detained in October while en route to Gaza with humanitarian cargo. One of these vessels carried the well-known Swedish eco-activist Greta Thunberg.
The escalation of the conflict began after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, during which militants launched rocket strikes, invaded Israeli territory, and killed approximately 1,200 people, according to Israel, as well as taking around 250 hostages. Israel's response was to declare war on Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist organization in the U.S., EU, and several other countries.
According to the Ministry of Health of the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Hamas, more than 68,000 people have died as a result of Israeli operations, and over 170,000 have been injured. These figures cannot currently be independently verified.
