Turkey has stopped all exports and imports from Israel, citing worsening humanitarian tragedy in the Palestinian territories. The Turkish Trade Ministry yesterday in a statement said, Ankara will strictly and decisively implement these new measures until the Israeli government allows an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The two countries had a trade volume of 6.8 billion dollars in 2023.
Reacting to Turkey’s decision, Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz on social media platform accused Ankara of disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and businessmen, and ignoring international trade agreements. Mr Katz said he has instructed the foreign ministry to work to create alternatives for trade with Turkey, focusing on local production and imports from other countries.
Turkey had last month imposed trade restrictions on Israel accusing Israel of refusing to allow Ankara to take part in aid air-drop operations for Gaza.
Palestinian group Hamas launched an unprecedented terror attack on 7th of October last year. Around 1200 people, mostly civilians were killed and roughly 250 others were taken back to Gaza as hostages. Israel responded by launching its most intense-ever war in Gaza.
