As part of the reconciliation process underway between Israel and Turkey, the latter is demanding unrestricted access to the Gaza Strip, according to recent reports. The access would apparently be needed to pass along "all sorts of assistance to Palestinians," reported journalist Serkan Demirtas in Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, following an interview with an anonymous local senior government official. According to the report, Hamas is pleased about the news of reconciliation, reasoning that it may ease the blockade on Gaza. The Turkish official also claimed that a deal to normalize relations between Israel and Turkey could have been reached two years ago, blaming Israel for dragging its feet because of the political climate in Turkey. He went on to deny reports that Turkey had agreed to the Israeli demand to deport senior Hamas operative Salah al-Aruri. He said the reports were leaked by Israel to bolster domestic support for reconciliation, adding that Aruri was not even living in Turkey. The Hurriyet further reported the official's claims that a reconciliation deal may not stop Turkey from regularly criticizing Israel. Israel has not responded to the official's comments, though officials in Jerusalem addressed some similar claims last week, clarifying that Israel had no intention of meeting Turkey's demand to gain a foothold in Gaza. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan helped talk a man out of suicide in Istanbul on Friday. The man was threatening to jump off the Bosphorus Bridge, when Ergdogan's motorcade drove by. The president's staff convinced the man to come back from the ledge and speak to Erdogan. In footage of the incident, the man is seen approaching Erdogan's car, where the two speak for a short time, and the man appears to kiss the president's hand before leaving. According to reports, Erdogan promised to help the man going forward.
X
שיתוף כתבה
Report: Turkey demands complete access to Gaza
Turkish official denies reports that Turkey agreed to the Israeli demand to deport senior Hamas operative • Official adds that reconciliation deal will not prevent Turkey from criticizing Israel • Turkish president stops man from committing suicide.