Turkey recalls ambassador to Israel over Gaza's humanitarian crisis

Türkiye said on Saturday it was recalling its ambassador to Israel, due to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip caused by ongoing Israeli attacks, reported Xinhua.

In a statement, Türkiye's Foreign Ministry said Israel's military attacks on civilians had led to a humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, noting Israel refuses the "call for ceasefire and continuous and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid."

In view of the situation, Ankara decided to recall the Turkish ambassador to Israel for consultation, it noted.

Since Israel started to attack the Gaza Strip, the Turkish government has repeatedly criticized Israel's military operation in Gaza, stressing its attacks on civilians are causing a humanitarian crisis.

On Oct. 28, Israel announced it was recalling its diplomats in Türkiye over "increasingly harsh statements" from the Turkish government.

Türkiye and Israel are in a normalization process after years of enmity. The relations between the two countries were strained in 2010 when a Turkish-led flotilla attempting to break Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip clashed with Israeli forces, leaving 10 Turks on board killed. In 2022, Türkiye and Israel fully restored their diplomatic ties and re-appointed respective ambassadors.