Hamas fears Turkish pressure will follow Israel-Turkey normalization
As Ankara's relations with Israel warm, Hamas is carefully maintaining its presence in Turkey.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid announced Aug. 17 that Israel and Turkey will restore full diplomatic relations and reappoint ambassadors for the first time since 2018. That year, Turkey withdrew its ambassador to Israel after the latter killed dozens of Palestinians during the so-called return marches that started in the Gaza Strip on March 30, marking Land Day.
Following a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Lapir tweeted Aug. 17, “The resumption of diplomatic relations with Turkey is an important factor for regional stability and major economic news for Israeli citizens and we will continue to work to strengthen Israel’s position in the world.”
