Ankara: Turkey has taken a dramatic step in its worsening standoff with Israel, announcing sweeping restrictions that cut deep into maritime and aviation ties. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told parliament on Friday that all Turkish ports are now barred to Israeli vessels, while ships flying the Turkish flag will no longer be permitted to dock in Israel. Alongside these maritime restrictions, Turkey has also closed its airspace to flights carrying military supplies bound for Israel, underscoring Ankara’s escalating protest over the war in Gaza.
The decision comes against the backdrop of Israel’s continued military campaign in Gaza, which Ankara has denounced as genocide. Turkey, once a key regional partner of Israel, has now completely severed trade links and moved into the realm of logistical and security restrictions. Fidan said the measures were not merely symbolic but intended to exert real pressure, noting that Ankara would not remain silent while civilians in Gaza suffered under heavy bombardment.
Reports suggest that even before the formal announcement, Turkish port authorities had been pressing shipping agents to issue written declarations ensuring their vessels were not linked to Israel, nor transporting military or hazardous cargo. This informal vetting process has now been codified into a nationwide directive, effectively blocking Israeli access to Turkish commercial and naval routes.
At the same time, Turkey is preparing to open alternative humanitarian corridors for Palestinians. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reportedly approved plans for air-drops of aid into Gaza, with the operation awaiting coordination through Jordanian airspace. This move highlights Ankara’s attempt to position itself as both a critic of Israel’s military actions and a lifeline for civilians trapped in the enclave.
Relations between Israel and Turkey have been turbulent for years, marked by diplomatic ruptures, partial reconciliations, and repeated breakdowns. After normalization talks in 2022 and 2023, ties soured again as the Gaza war escalated, culminating in Turkey’s latest measures that effectively end most remaining avenues of cooperation.
By combining port closures, aviation restrictions, and humanitarian initiatives, Turkey has signaled that it is willing to leverage its geostrategic position to constrain Israel’s operations. Whether these steps will have a meaningful impact on Israel’s military calculus remains uncertain, but the move is certain to fuel further strain between Ankara, Tel Aviv, and their respective allies.