Turkey demands access to Gaza in agreement
- 8 years ago
Turkey intends to demand free access to the Gaza Strip as part of a reconciliation deal with Israel, a senior Turkish source said on Saturday. The demand to end what Turkey calls "the blockade of Gaza" is sure to be a major sticking point in talks between the distrustful nations.
The senior Turkish official, who spoke with the Hurriyet newspaper, said Turkey wants access so that it can provide any aid necessary to the Palestinians living there. "Turkey is committed to reject any limitations on Turkish aid to Gaza," said the source.
The official further said that Hamas looks kindly upon talks between Israel and Turkey, despite the Israeli condition of exiling senior member Saleh al-Arouri from Ankara. That said, the official also claimed that news of al-Arouri's forced departure was incorrect information leaked to test public opinion. It was reported earlier this week that al-Arouri had departed Turkey months ago.
The senior Turkish official, who spoke with the Hurriyet newspaper, said Turkey wants access so that it can provide any aid necessary to the Palestinians living there. "Turkey is committed to reject any limitations on Turkish aid to Gaza," said the source.
The official further said that Hamas looks kindly upon talks between Israel and Turkey, despite the Israeli condition of exiling senior member Saleh al-Arouri from Ankara. That said, the official also claimed that news of al-Arouri's forced departure was incorrect information leaked to test public opinion. It was reported earlier this week that al-Arouri had departed Turkey months ago.