Turkey has halted trade with Israel, valued at $7 billion annually, until a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid are secured in Gaza, citing Israel's "uncompromising attitude" and worsening conditions in Gaza's Rafah region.
This move marks Ankara's strongest step yet following months of criticism of Israel's military campaign, impacting $5.4 billion in Turkish exports and $1.6 billion in imports last year.
"Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz criticised Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's move, enacted late on Thursday, saying it breaks international trade agreements and was "how a dictator behaves"