Turkey Cuts All Trade and Port Access to Israel Amid Gaza War Tensions

News

  September 1st, 2025|Written by
Tim Jay

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Turkey has moved to completely sever maritime and trade links with Israel, escalating its response to the ongoing war in Gaza. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced Friday that Turkish ports are now closed to Israeli vessels, Turkish ships are barred from Israeli ports, and additional restrictions are being placed on aircraft bound for or transiting Turkish airspace.

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Speaking during an extraordinary session of parliament, Fidan said the measures reflect Ankara’s growing opposition to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which Turkey has condemned as genocide—an accusation Israel denies.

“We have totally cut our trade with Israel, we have closed off our ports to Israeli ships and we are not allowing Turkish vessels to go to Israel’s ports,” Fidan stated. “We are not allowing container ships carrying weapons and ammunition to Israel to enter our ports, and airplanes to go into our airspace.”

Sources told Reuters last week that Turkish port authorities had already begun requiring shipping agents to certify that vessels are not linked to Israel and are not carrying hazardous or military cargo bound for Israeli ports. Turkish-flagged ships have reportedly been prohibited from docking in Israel as part of the same measures.

Fidan also revealed that Turkey has presidential approval to conduct aid airdrops into Gaza, pending clearance from Jordan. “Our planes are ready, once Jordan gives its approval, we will be in a position to go,” he said.

The Israeli government has yet to comment on Ankara’s sweeping trade restrictions.