Turkiye to close airspace, cut trade ties with Israel over Gaza war
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says his country will completely sever economic and trade ties with Israel and has closed its airspace to its aircraft, amid tensions over the war in Gaza.
Speaking at an extraordinary session of the Turkish parliament on Gaza, Fidan said Israel has been “committing genocide in Gaza for the past two years, ignoring basic humanitarian values right before the world’s eyes”.
Fidan said Israel’s aggressive policies extended beyond Gaza and threatened to engulf the region in conflict. “Israel’s reckless attacks on Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iran are the clearest sign of a terrorist state mentality defying international order,” he said.
Foreign ministers of six European countries condemn Gaza offensive
The foreign ministers of Spain, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland and Luxembourg have released a joint statement strongly condemning the latest offensive in Gaza, as Israel’s military said it had begun the initial stages of the attack on Gaza City.
The statement said that the intensification of military operations would “lead to the intolerable deaths of innocent Palestinian civilians, including women, children and elderly people”, as well as endangering the lives of Israeli captives held by Hamas.
The statement said the ministers were “horrified” by last week’s confirmation of famine in Gaza, and denounced the forced displacement of Palestinians, “which represents a flagrant violation of international law”.
“We urge the Israeli government to immediately reconsider its decision and cease operations. This spiral of violence must end,” it said.
Signs of famine everywhere in Gaza City
I visited a supported nutrition centre in the heart of a displacement area in the western part of Gaza City, along with UNICEF staff. These tents are set up to support families bringing in their children to be checked and treated for malnutrition.
We saw mothers carrying children with clear signs of malnutrition. We saw many cases showing signs of starvation and dehydration. And we saw the supplements available in these centres were not enough to address the need.
One child was transferred to al-Shifa Hospital because the centre did not have sufficient resources to treat the child.
Famine is no longer looming on the horizon. It’s a visible reality. Signs of it are everywhere.
‘Time is running out’: Families of captives urge Israeli government to join ceasefire talks
Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which has organised large-scale protests demanding a ceasefire to return the captives in Gaza, mourned the loss of Ilan Weiss, whose body was recovered by the Israeli army today.
“Our hearts are with the family today. Alongside the grief and pain, his return provides some comfort to the family after 692 days of waiting in the nightmare of uncertainty,” they said in a statement on X.
“We call on the Israeli government to enter negotiations and stay at the table until every last hostage comes home. Time is running out for the hostages. Time is running out for the people of Israel who carry this burden.”
The hostage families embrace the family of Ilan Weiss during this difficult time.
Ilan's return fulfills the State of Israel's fundamental duty to its citizens.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum:
"Our hearts are with the family today. Alongside the grief and pain, his… pic.twitter.com/E8EdtG3KB5
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) August 29, 2025
