Erdogan Cuts Ties with Netanyahu over Gaza Actions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday that he was cutting ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to Israel’s actions in Gaza. Erdogan stated that Netanyahu is no longer someone we can talk to. We have written him off. These remarks come amidst escalating tensions between Turkey and Israel, with Israel recently withdrawing its diplomats from Turkey and other regional countries as a security precaution. The violence in Gaza has intensified in recent weeks, with Israeli forces encircling the largest city in an attempt to crush Hamas. Israel claims that the military operation is a response to raids conducted by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people, largely civilians, and the kidnapping of 240 individuals. However, the health ministry in Gaza reports that more than 9,400 Palestinians, primarily women and children, have since been killed in Israeli strikes and the ongoing ground campaign. Despite Erdogan’s decision to cut communication with Netanyahu, he clarified that Turkey is not severing diplomatic relations with Israel entirely, emphasizing the importance of international diplomacy. He revealed that Ibrahim Kalin, the head of Turkey’s MIT intelligence agency, is leading efforts to mediate an end to the conflict. Kalin is engaged in negotiations with both Israeli and Palestinian officials, including Hamas. Erdogan placed the primary responsibility for the violence on Netanyahu, accusing the Israeli Prime Minister of losing the support of his own citizens. He called for Netanyahu to take a step back and cease the damaging actions in Gaza. The situation between Turkey and Israel remains tense as both sides express their disapproval of each other’s actions. This development adds to the growing complexity of the Israel-Hamas war, further highlighting the need for international mediation and a peaceful resolution.