Turkey halts trade with Israel over 'humanitarian tragedy' in Gaza
Ankara: Turkey has announced the suspension of all trade with Israel in response to the ongoing offensive in Gaza. Citing the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region, the Turkish trade ministry stated that trade will remain halted until Israel permits an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of aid into Gaza. Last year, trade between the two countries amounted to nearly $7 billion.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and businesses and ignoring international trade agreements. In response, Israel has pledged to seek alternative trade partners and reduce economic ties with Turkey, including those with the Palestinian Authority and Gaza.
Turkey's Trade Minister Omer Bolat condemned Israel's uncompromising stance on a ceasefire and the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. He emphasized that Turkey's trade suspension is contingent upon the establishment of a permanent ceasefire and uninterrupted aid flow into Gaza.
The decision reflects the escalating tensions between Turkey and Israel, whose relations have deteriorated over recent decades, marked by diplomatic rifts and confrontations, including the 2010 Gaza flotilla incident. Erdogan's government has faced domestic pressure to take a firm stance against Israel, particularly after a significant electoral setback for his party earlier this year.
The announcement comes amid mounting international criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, with the United Nations warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe. Efforts to address the crisis have included the reopening of aid routes, but challenges persist in delivering essential supplies to those in need.
Meanwhile, the United States has urged both Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and negotiate the release of hostages held in Gaza. A proposed deal reportedly involves a 40-day ceasefire and a prisoner exchange, though Hamas' response is awaited.
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Sambhal violence: Prohibitory orders issued, outsiders barred from entry till Nov 30
Sambhal (UP) (PTI): The district administration has imposed prohibitory orders and barred the entry of outsiders till November 30 after three men were killed and scores of others, including security and administration personnel, injured in a violence by protesters opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque.
The order has been issued under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), said District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya late on Sunday.
"No outsiders, other social organisations or public representatives will enter the district border without the permission of the competent officer," said the order, which came into force with immediate effect.
Violation of the order will be punishable under Section 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the BNS.
Violence broke out in the district on Sunday as protesters opposing the survey of the Jama Masjid clashed with security personnel. The protesters torched vehicles and pelted the police with stones while the security personnel used tear gas and batons to disperse the mob.
Divisional Commissioner (Moradabad) Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said on Sunday, "Shots were fired by miscreants... the PRO of the superintendent of police suffered a gunshot to the leg, the circle officer was hit by pellets and 15 to 20 security personnel were injured in the violence."
A constable also suffered a serious head injury while the deputy collector fractured his leg.
"Three people, identified as Naeem, Bilal and Nauman, have been killed," Singh said.
Twenty-one people, including two women, have been detained and a probe has been launched, the official had said, adding that those accused in the violence would be booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).
District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya said, "The casualty count stands at three. The reason for the deaths of two is clear -- bullet wounds from countrymade pistols. The reason for the death of the third person is not clear but it will be after post-mortem."
Internet services were soon suspended in Sambhal tehsil for 24 hours and the district administration declared a holiday in all schools for Monday.
Tension had been brewing in Sambhal since November 19 when the Jama Masjid was first surveyed on the court's orders following a petition claiming that a Harihar temple had stood at the site.
Trouble started early on Sunday when a large group of people gathered near the mosque and started shouting slogans as the survey team began its work.
District officials said the survey could not be completed on Tuesday and was planned for Sunday to avoid interference with afternoon prayers.
Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is a petitioner in the case, had earlier said the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) ordered the constitution of an "advocate commission" to survey the mosque.
The court has said a report should be filed after conducting a videography and photography survey through the commission, he had said.
On Sunday, Jain urged the Archaeological Survey of India to take control of the "temple".
Gopal Sharma, a local lawyer for the Hindu side, had earlier claimed the temple that once stood at the site was demolished by Mughal Emperor Babur in 1529.
