Turkey Suspends Trade with Israel Over Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Joy ChukwuMay 3, 20241 Mins read721

FILE - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a joint statement to the media in Baghdad, April 22, 2024. Turkey on Thursday, May 2, suspended all imports and exports to Israel citing the country's ongoing military action in Gaza and vowed to continue to impose other measures until the Israeli government allows the flow of humanitarian to the region. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Turkey’s trade ministry announced that it was halting all trade with Israel until Gaza receives unrestricted humanitarian aid amid Israel’s offensive against Hamas militants.

“Exports and imports to and from Israel have been suspended.

“Turkey will apply these new measures… until the Israeli government authorises an uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza,” the statement read.

This decision came after Israel’s Foreign Minister, Katz, accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of violating agreements between the two countries by blocking trade.

This move further strains relations following Turkey’s earlier export restrictions to Israel in April.

The Gaza Strip faces a severe humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict, with the UN and aid agencies warning of famine.

Israel’s offensive, triggered by Hamas’s attack on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides.

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