Turkey and Israel reconciliation deal

Israeli and Turkish media have reported that the two countries have reached an agreement to normalise ties after six years.

After three years of talks Israel and Turkey have reportedly agreed to restore ties.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment on the announcement which was made by a senior Israeli official travelling in Rome with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

They have been encouraged by Washington, to end a rift over the Israeli navy’s killing of 10 Turkish pro-Palestinian activists who tried to sail to the blockaded Gaza Strip in 2010.

How pro-govt media present the Turkey-Israel deal and the compromise over Turkish demand to lift Gaza blockade pic.twitter.com/nds3Pqi6Yb

— Laura Pitel (@laurapitel) June 27, 2016

Two of Turkey’s key conditions for normalisation – an apology and compensation – were largely met earlier, leaving its third demand, that Israel lift its blockade on the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, the main obstacle left. Under the reported terms of the deal, Israel will allow the completion of a much-needed hospital in Gaza, as well as the construction of a new power station and a desalination plant for drinking water.

Reports also indicate that Turkey’s aid to Gaza would be channelled through the Israeli port of Ashdod rather than sending it directly to the Palestinian enclave.

#Turkey briefs #Palestinian leaders on its normalization talks with #Israel pic.twitter.com/2SuSt5jZ9s

— Ahmed Quraishi (@AQpk) June 27, 2016

An official announcement on the normalisation of full ties is expected on Monday.
According to a Turkish official, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim is expected to talk about the reconciliation deal at 1.00 pm in Ankara.