Israel says diplomatic ties with Türkiye remains unchanged

JERUSALEM

Israel said on Sunday that there is no change in diplomatic relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv despite the latest Gaza-related developments.

“Diplomatic relations with Türkiye remain unchanged despite the position taken by Ankara on the war in Gaza and the fact that the Turkish ambassador was recalled over the weekend,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Hayat told Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

“We have to rethink how we prevent such a crisis,” Hayat added.

Türkiye said on Saturday that it has recalled its ambassador to Tel Aviv for consultations amid Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza.

The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

The death toll from Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip has risen to 9,500, including 3,900 children and 2,509 women, the government media office in the Gaza Strip announced on Saturday.

Nearly 1,540 Israelis have been killed.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi