BICOM

In accordance with last week’s reconciliation agreement between Israel and Turkey, the first Turkish ship containing aid for the Gaza Strip has arrived in Israel to be transported to Gaza.

Yesterday, the Turkish ship Lady Leyla, reached Israel’s southern port of Ashdod. It was carrying 10,000 tons of aid destined for Gaza, including food, toys and medication. Ashdod Port acting CEO Isaac Blumenthal, plus representatives from Israel’s Ministry of Transport and the Prime Minister’s Office National Security Council, oversaw the ship’s arrival and processing, which was expedited to ensure prompt delivery to the Gaza Strip. The cargo will undergo a security check to ensure that no illicit equipment falls into the hands of Hamas, which rules Gaza. It will then be transported to the Kerem Shalom border crossing, where around 900 truckloads of goods enter the Gaza Strip from Israel on a daily basis.

However, the Turkish aid is likely to be met at Kerem Shalom by protests from the families of two Israeli soldiers, whose bodies are being held by Hamas in Gaza and an Israeli civilian who is believed to be alive in Hamas’ hands. Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin were both killed during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, while Avera Mengistu wandered across the Gaza border two years ago. The families say that any agreement to allow extra aid into Gaza must be tied to the fate of their loved ones.

Israel’s security cabinet approved the deal in which Israel and Turkey restored full diplomatic relations after a six-year hiatus following the deaths of ten Turkish citizens  on the Gaza-bound protest ship, the Mavi Marmara in 2010. As part of the agreement, Israel will permit Turkish aid and infrastructure projects in the Gaza Strip. In return, Turkey will not allow itself to be used as a base for terror groups such as Hamas and bilateral relations with Israel will be extended.