Turkey Shuts Ports and Airspace to Israel Amid Gaza Crisis

Turkey has announced sweeping restrictions against Israel: ports will be closed to Israeli ships, and airspace will be blocked for Israeli aircraft. Ankara also froze bilateral trade, accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, Reuters reported. The move marks a new escalation in the already strained relations between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan declared that Turkey is severing ties with Israel. Container vessels carrying weapons and ammunition destined for Israel will not be admitted to Turkish ports. Ankara also called for international measures against Israel and urged world powers to halt their support.

Earlier, port authorities had already started informally demanding confirmation from shipping agents that vessels were not connected to Israel or carrying military cargo. On August 22, an Israeli cargo ship operated by ZIM Integrated Shipping Services was denied entry to Istanbul and diverted to Piraeus, Greece, according to FDD. Ships flying the Turkish flag have also been banned from Israeli ports.

In fact, restrictions began earlier: in April 2024 Turkey banned the export of 54 products, including steel, aluminum, construction materials, and fertilizers. A month later, Ankara announced the suspension of all trade with Israel until humanitarian aid deliveries resumed.

Gaza Offensive Triggers New Sanctions

The latest measures were triggered by Israel’s intensified military operation in Gaza City, home to nearly half the population of the enclave. Israel officially declared the city a “dangerous combat zone”, urging civilians to evacuate southwards.

The war has continued since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. As of late August 2025, about 48 hostages remain, though only 20–22 are believed to be alive. Gaza’s Hamas-controlled health ministry claims more than 62,000 dead or missing, though figures are unverifiable. Israel reports eliminating over 22,000 Hamas fighters.

Diplomatic Flashpoint

Observers note another possible trigger: days before Ankara’s announcement, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu publicly acknowledged the Armenian genocide of the Ottoman era — a deeply sensitive issue for Turkey. Analysts believe this may have accelerated Ankara’s decision to freeze economic ties and restrict airspace.

Israel’s aviation authority said it had not yet received official notification from Turkey. However, if enforced, flights to Georgia and Azerbaijan could be extended by nearly two hours. Israir Airlines confirmed it operated flights to Batumi as usual.

Economic Impact

Free trade between Israel and Turkey has existed since the mid-1990s. After years of tensions, relations were normalized in 2022 with ambassadors reinstated. In 2023, bilateral trade reached $6.8 billion: Turkey exported $5.3B worth of goods (mainly cement, metals, and building materials), while Israel’s exports to Turkey stood at just $1.5B.

In March 2025, the Bank of Israel assessed that Turkey’s embargo had limited impact, as Israel quickly diversified its import sources. The central bank noted the open structure of the Israeli economy helped absorb the shock with minimal inflationary effects.