Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz accused Turkey on Tuesday of unilaterally violating trade agreements with Israel.
Katz stated on his “X” platform account that “Erdogan is sacrificing Turkey’s economic interests for the sake of supporting Hamas,” affirming that “Israel will impose trade restrictions on Turkish products in response to Turkish restrictions on our exports.”
Earlier today, the Turkish Ministry of Commerce announced “the imposition of restrictions on the export of certain products to Israel, starting from April 9.”
The ministry said in a statement that “the export restrictions to Israel will remain in effect until Tel Aviv declares an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and allows for adequate and continuous aid,” confirming that the decision includes 54 products including construction iron, flat steel, marble, and ceramics.
Last Thursday, the Turkish National Security Council warned that Israel’s disregard for United Nations Security Council resolutions and the International Court undermines trust in international institutions.
The council urged the international community to support Turkey’s efforts for a “stable peace” in Gaza, stop attacks against Palestinian civilians and relief organizations, and launch comprehensive humanitarian aid to the sector.
Israel found itself under criticism from allies and critics this week after conducting an airstrike that killed 7 relief workers from the US-based charity “World Central Kitchen” in Gaza last Monday.
Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have been ongoing since October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian Hamas movement, which controls the sector, launched “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”; launching thousands of rockets from Gaza into Israel, and its forces stormed Israeli towns adjacent to the sector, killing about 1200 Israelis, mostly settlers, in addition to capturing about 250 others.
Israel officially declared war on the Gaza Strip, starting with destructive bombing followed by ground operations within the sector.
The Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip has so far resulted in more than 33,000 deaths and about 76,000 injuries, mostly children and women, from those who reached hospitals, while more than 7,000 are missing under the rubble caused by continuous bombing across the sector.
All areas of the Gaza Strip are experiencing a major crisis in water and food due to the destruction of infrastructure and desalination lines and stations by the Israeli army, while the United Nations has warned of the consequences of the hunger crisis facing the inhabitants of Gaza as the war between Hamas and Israel continues.
