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Hamas Reacts to Israeli Apology To Turkey

Israel's apology to Turkey is welcomed by Palestinians including Hamas and raises expectations for a lifting of the blockade on Gaza, writes Hazem Balousha.

Hazem Balousha
Hazem Balousha
Mar 26, 2013
Israeli activists hold signs in support of Gaza near the entrance to the port of Ashdod October 20, 2012. The Israeli navy seized an international pro-Palestinian activist ship in the Mediterranean sea on Saturday to prevent it breaching its blockade of the Gaza Strip, a military spokeswoman said. She said no one was hurt when marines boarded the SV Estelle, a three-mast schooner, and that it was rerouted to Israel's southern port of Ashdod after it ignored orders to turn away from the Hamas-governed Pales
Israeli activists hold signs in support of Gaza near the entrance to the port of Ashdod, Oct. 20, 2012. The Israeli navy had earlier seized an international pro-Palestinian activist ship in the Mediterranean sea to prevent it breaching its blockade of the Gaza Strip. — REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Following US mediation, personally led by President Barack Obama during his visit to the region, Israel and Turkey have finally renormalized their diplomatic relations.

This new Israeli-Turkish agreement brought to mind the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla, where nine Turkish activists on board were killed on May 31, 2010. This attack was what pushed Israel to ease its blockade of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Hamas welcomed Israel’s apology, in the hope that Turkey would continue with its pressure to further ease the blockade.

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