Turkey seeks international arrest warrant for Netanyahu amid Syria row

Turkey has issued an international arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another Israeli citizen, Afek Moskovitch, escalating tensions between the two nations. The move comes amid an investigation into the detention of activists aboard the "Flotilla for Gaza," a group of ships organized to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Ankara's Ministry of Justice announced the judicial measures, requesting Interpol to issue red notices for the arrest of Netanyahu and Moskovitch. They are accused of "genocide" in connection with the attack on activists in international waters. This legal action follows a recent military confrontation where Israel reportedly bombed a disused military base in northern Syria.

Israel had warned Syria against allowing Turkish military personnel to deploy at the base, accusing Ankara of attempting to establish a military presence. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Turkey had ignored Israel's warnings and "understood the message better" after the strike. He insisted that Israel would not tolerate the Turkish military advancing south, as it posed a threat.

Syria's Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, clarified that there were no plans for a Turkish military base and that the facility was being rehabilitated for the Syrian Air Force. However, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz further accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of "dragging Turkey into a dangerous adventure in Syria." Turkey has denied having any military delegation at the Syrian airport prior to or during the incident.