MILLİYET.COM.TR / The Israeli media continues to bring to the agenda the panic in Tel Aviv regarding Turkey’s role in Gaza. Speaking to the Israeli-based i24 News channel, Gallia Lindenstrauss, a researcher and Turkey expert at the Israeli National Security Institute (INSS), made striking statements and claimed that Ankara’s growing influence in the region poses a serious strategic threat to Israel.

‘A CRITICAL RISK’

Recalling Turkey's strong influence over Hamas, Lindenstrauss said,"Turkey has not changed its stance on Gaza." The expert emphasized that Ankara's involvement in the ceasefire and reconstruction of Gaza poses a critical risk for Israel.

‘NEW BLUE MARMARA IS LIVING’

However, Lindenstrauss openly threatened during the broadcast, saying that if Turkey sent troops to Gaza, it would be"a new Mavi Marmara incident." "If Turkish troops ever enter Gaza, it would be a serious strategic mistake; a new Mavi Marmara incident would occur."

‘STRATEGIC PRESSURE IS BUILDING’

The Israeli expert emphasized that Israel had been weakened by not engaging the Palestinian Authority in the post-war period, with Turkey and Qatar, in particular, gaining prominence. Lindenstrauss added that Ankara had increased its regional influence through Syria and exerted strategic pressure on Israel.

TURKISH MILITARY CONCERNS IN GAZA

Speaking to Israel Hayom recently, Israeli expert Rami Daniel said,"It would be best to minimize Turkish military participation if possible. I don't see any major problems with searching for bodies, but assessing the steadfastness of the ceasefire could be problematic. The presence of Turkish forces is concerning. The biggest risk is what happens if Israel accidentally strikes? That applies to all international forces, but it's more problematic with the tensions between Turkey and Israel and Erdoğan's harsh stance."

‘I DON’T WANT TO SEE A TURK’

Israeli Jewish Settlement Minister Orit Struck also expressed her discomfort with Türkiye's involvement in the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza and the work to be carried out in Gaza, saying"I do not want to see any Turks in tractors, jeeps or wheeled vehicles in Gaza."

THE SQUARE THAT DISTURBED ISRAEL

However, reports in the Israeli press on Monday shared photos of construction equipment flying the Turkish flag in Gaza, expressing unease that Ankara had begun work on the reconstruction project. The reports emphasized that Turkey had gained both a diplomatic and economic advantage, emphasizing that Ankara's rapid action on the ground demonstrated its regional influence and diplomatic power.

THE BLUE MARMARA INCIDENT

In 2010, to draw attention to the Israeli blockade of Gaza and the humanitarian tragedy, international aid organizations such as the Free Gaza Movement and Viva Palestina, led by the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, launched an aid campaign under the slogan"Our Route is Palestine, Our Cargo is Freedom." As part of the campaign, medicine, medical supplies, cement, toys, and school supplies were loaded onto the Defne Y, Gazze 1, and Mavi Marmara ships and departed from Istanbul on May 22.

On May 28, 2010, the Mavi Marmara, which set sail for the Mediterranean, joined other aid ships off the coast of Cyprus. On the night of May 30, the Israeli army harassed the flotilla despite radio warnings, and in the early hours of the morning, commandos attacked the ships from helicopters and zodiac boats. Civilians on the Mavi Marmara were fired upon; nine Turkish volunteers were killed in the attack, and others were injured. The death of Uğur Süleyman Söylemez, who remained in a vegetative state, brought the death toll to 10.

The injured on board were held for hours, while passengers were handcuffed and subjected to ill-treatment by Israeli soldiers. Their belongings were confiscated, and journalists and activists were interrogated and taken to Ber Sheva Prison. The activists were able to return to Turkey on June 3rd on a Turkish Airlines flight from Tel Aviv.