Why is a Turkish terror group freely operating in Gaza?

Turkish diplomats confirmed IHH’s work in northern Gaza, despite its links to Palestinian terror organizations.

By World Israel News Staff

A Turkish group designated as a terrorist organization by the Israeli government is freely operating in the Gaza Strip, raising concerns about Turkey’s growing influence in the territory.

The IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation helped organize the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla to Gaza, which ended in violent clashes between Israeli naval commandos and people aboard the ship who claimed to be human rights activists but were armed with weapons.

Flotilla participants attacked the Israeli forces as they boarded the ships, wounding at least seven soldiers. One soldier was reportedly shot, while others were stabbed. Ten Turkish participants were killed by Israeli forces during the confrontation.

Both the Netherlands and Germany have banned IHH from their countries due to the group’s well-established links to Palestinian terror groups.

However, recent footage circulating on social media shows IHH now operating openly in Gaza. Trucks bearing the organization’s name and Turkish flags can be seen delivering aid and equipment across the Strip.

IHH’s presence in the embattled enclave was also confirmed by a Turkish diplomat.

“The Turkish aid organization İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation has begun supporting efforts in northern Gaza, which has suffered great destruction, by providing humanitarian aid, as well as assisting with environmental cleanup, road clearing, and debris removal to restore basic living conditions following the ceasefire,” Turkish Ambassador to Egypt Salih Mutlu Şen posted on X earlier this week.

In recent years, Turkey’s leadership has grown increasingly hostile toward Israel. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “psychopath” and a “blood-sucking vampire.”

Erdoğan has also led public Islamic prayers calling for the destruction of the Jewish state.

Additionally, the Turkish leader — who had been praised by U.S. President Donald Trump — has signaled his intention to move Turkish troops deeper into Syria, Israel’s neighbor to the northeast, further heightening tensions.