Turkey’s state-run news agency says Turkish intelligence officials have warned their Israeli counterparts of “serious consequences” if they attempt to target members of Hamas on Turkish soil. The warning, reported by the Anadolu Agency late Monday, came after Ronen Bar, the head of Israel’s domestic security agency Shin Bet, said in an audio recording that his organization is prepared to destroy Hamas “in every place,” including in Lebanon, Turkey and Qatar.
Quick Read
- Turkish Intelligence Warning: Turkey’s state-run news agency, Anadolu Agency, reported that Turkish intelligence officials warned Israel against targeting Hamas members on Turkish soil. This warning was a response to an audio recording in which Ronen Bar, head of Israel’s Shin Bet, expressed readiness to destroy Hamas in various locations, including Turkey.
- Anadolu Agency’s Report: According to Anadolu Agency, which cited unnamed Turkish intelligence sources, Israeli officials were told that any such actions on Turkish soil would have “serious consequences.” The report also mentioned Turkey’s history of preventing illegal activities by foreign operatives and emphasized its refusal to allow foreign intelligence agencies, including Israel’s Mossad, to operate within its borders.
- Turkey’s Stance on Hamas: Turkey hosts Hamas officials and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has publicly recognized Hamas as a liberation organization, not a terrorist group.
- Erdogan’s Criticism of Netanyahu: In a speech at a Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Doha, President Erdogan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of jeopardizing the region’s security for his political survival. Erdogan also criticized the Israeli administration for the loss of Palestinian lives, describing it as a crime against humanity and war crime, and called for Netanyahu to be tried for these alleged crimes.
The Associated Press has the story:
Turkey warns Israel not to target Hamas members on Turkish soil
Newslooks- ANKARA, Turkey (AP)
Turkey’s state-run news agency says Turkish intelligence officials have warned their Israeli counterparts of “serious consequences” if they attempt to target members of Hamas on Turkish soil.
The warning, reported by the Anadolu Agency late Monday, came after Ronen Bar, the head of Israel’s domestic security agency Shin Bet, said in an audio recording that his organization is prepared to destroy Hamas “in every place,” including in Lebanon, Turkey and Qatar.
Anadolu Agency, quoting unnamed Turkish intelligence officials, said “necessary warnings were made” to Israeli officials who were told their actions would “have serious consequences.” The agency also quoted the officials as saying that Turkey had prevented “illegal activities” by foreign operatives in the past and that no foreign intelligence agency would be allowed to carry out operations on Turkish territory. Israel’s Mossad spy agency has been accused of involvement in a series of assassinations overseas of Palestinian militants and Iranian nuclear scientists over the years.
Turkey has hosted Hamas officials and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said his government considers Hamas to be a liberation organization, not a terrorist group.
TURKISH PRESIDENT SAYS NETANYAHU GOVERNMENT IS ENDANGERING ENTIRE REGION’S SECURITY
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Israel should not be allowed to “get away” with alleged crimes committed in Gaza.
In an address Tuesday to a Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Doha, Erdogan also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is entangle in legal troubles, of putting the entire region at danger for his alleged political survival.
“The Netanyahu administration is endangering the security and future of our entire region in order to extend its political life,” Erdogan said in televised comments.
“The loss of life of 17,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, is a crime against humanity and a war crime. Israel should not get away with these crimes,” he said.
A vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, Erdogan has repeatedly called for Netanyahu to be put on trial for alleged war crimes.
