Against the backdrop of Turkey's attempt to establish a foothold in Israel's backyard in the Gaza Strip, and security cooperation with Greece, its rival in the northeastern basin of the Mediterranean, the regional confrontation has intensified. Israel Hayom revealed that the US attempted unsuccessfully in recent weeks to broker a thaw between the sides, following Turkey's involvement in achieving the hostage release agreement. Ankara refused such a thaw, partly due to Israel's veto on the entry of Turkish soldiers into the Strip as part of the multinational force.
Diplomatic sources involved in the contacts said Israel transferred intelligence information to the US about terrorist operations against it in several arenas directed by Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists, under the patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's rule. Today, IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee revealed the name of one of these terrorists – Salam Hassan Yaish, a Palestinian and Hamas member, who from his seat directs and finances terror cells that prepared attacks against Israelis.
Additionally, Hamas and Hezbollah members sitting in Turkey finance and direct terrorist activity against Israeli targets in other locations. In Lebanon, in Syria, and apparently also in Latin American countries and in Europe. The diplomatic sources said Israel presented to the Americans extensive information indicating freedom of action for Hamas activity, including activity that supports and directs terrorism against Israel.
This information helped the Americans accept the Israeli veto on bringing Turkish army forces as part of the multinational force. Ankara was furious about this. On one hand, the country announced the recruitment and training of exactly 2,000 soldiers for this very purpose, which Israel prevents, and additionally published arrest warrants against dozens of Israeli senior officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and others.
The Turks, with help from elements within the American State Department, are attempting to increase their role in securing the arrangement with Hamas. Even now, in finding a solution to the two fundamental problems, returning the bodies of the deceased hostages and the problem of the Rafah pocket, where about 100 Hamas terrorists are trapped. Among other things, it was published that one of the solutions is the transfer of dozens of these terrorists to Turkey on the way to a third country that will accept them, similar to Hamas terrorists who were released from Israeli prison as part of the deal to return the hostages.
However, the diplomatic sources said Turkey is not willing to keep those same terrorists in its territory, and so far, no other country has been found willing to host them. The sources add that Egypt's weight in these two problems is much greater, and that the Americans and Israel prefer its involvement over that of Turkey.
At the same time, Turkey holds a significant bargaining chip – its ability to influence Hamas, that same ability that was expressed in its agreement to the hostage release arrangement. The terrorist organization's economic infrastructure is located in Turkey and comprises dozens of companies in various fields, including construction, real estate, currency exchange, vehicle trade, and more. These companies generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually, and their profits often finance terrorist activities.
The pressure Turkey applied on Hamas in this context, the threat that it would prevent the continued operation of these companies, alongside the military pressure on Hamas and the threat of conquering Gaza City, are among the main factors in the organization's capitulation and its agreement to release all the hostages.
Hamas transferred its economic infrastructure from Saudi Arabia, from where it was expelled in 2017 under pressure from President Donald Trump's administration in his first term. The Saudis ignored for years Hamas' financial activity in their territory, an activity that laundered money to support terrorism. After American pressure, attitudes reversed. The Saudis expelled Hamas organizations and even imprisoned several of its senior members due to their illegal economic activity.
Hamas transferred this activity to Turkey, which received it with open arms, and from there transferred hundreds of millions of dollars annually to the terror organization. Israel succeeded in monitoring and thwarting only a small portion of the money transferred through exchange agents, in crypto, and in other ways. Since the beginning of the war, this money transfer stopped due to the cessation of most economic activity in the Strip, but Hamas' economic activity in Turkey continues, and alongside it is also directing and financing terrorism activity against Israel.
The Israeli response, aside from thwarting money transfers and transferring information for arresting terrorists on their way to attacks, is narrowing Turkey's steps in the region. Apart from preventing the entry of its soldiers into the Strip, Israel cultivates a relationship with Greece.
This week, the Prime Minister's Office published information about the visit of the Deputy Chief of the National Security Council and the military secretary to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Roman Gofman, to Greece. Cooperation between the countries is expressed in joint military exercises and in Greece's increased security purchases from Israel. Thus, international reports stated that Greece intends to purchase advanced air defense systems for the defense project known as "Achilles Shield." As part of this, a system will be built, including an advanced radar and several types of anti-missile missiles, such as David's Sling, Spyder, and Barak. The scope of the deal is approximately 3 billion euros.
In recent days, Defense Minister of Greece Nikos Dendias declared that Greece may oppose Turkey's participation in the EU's SAFE program, which aims to strengthen industrial security cooperation among EU countries. Additionally, Israel and Cyprus are expanding cooperation on energy issues. During Minister Eli Cohen's visit to Cyprus, a direct gas pipeline from the Karish reservoir to the island was discussed, with the gas intended to serve the needs of Cyprus and Greece.
