Gaza, Palestine – The British Middle East Eye platform revealed that Israel had previously allowed 66 people to leave the Gaza Strip, including 16 members of the family of former Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh.
In addition to 14 Turkish citizens and 40 of their first-degree relatives, this was done at the official request of the Turkish government.
According to the sources, the exit operation was carried out within a bilateral understanding between Ankara and Tel Aviv.
Following the ceasefire agreement in Gaza reached in the first week of the month,
After complex negotiations in which Türkiye participated alongside Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations.
The platform confirmed that five members of Haniyeh’s family who left the Gaza Strip are directly related to Turkish citizens.
Which facilitated the inclusion of their names on the list approved by the Israeli authorities.
The permission to leave is the first practical step between Türkiye and Israel in months of political tension between the two sides.
Following the escalation of Turkish criticism of the Israeli army’s operations in Gaza,
Ankara accuses Tel Aviv of committing “serious violations” against civilians.
Observers believe that this step reflects a mutual desire to ease tensions and restore communication channels between the two parties.
Especially after Turkey’s prominent role in supporting calming and ceasefire efforts.
It is estimated that Türkiye seeks, through these moves, to strengthen its regional influence in the Palestinian issue.
And demonstrate its ability to mediate effectively between the Palestinian factions and Israel,
At a time when it continues to reorganize its diplomatic relations in the Middle East.
