Erdogan Plans to Breach Gaza Blockade - Report

Palestinian members of Hamas security speak beside picture of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) outside a shop in Gaza City on 24 July 2011. EPA/BGNES

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan is planning a visit to the Gaza Strip in mid-September, ignoring a years-long blockade imposed by Israel.

The news was reported by a number of Turkish media, quoting government sources.

Relations between Turkey and Israel came to a historic low, after Friday Turkey asked the Israeli ambassador to leave and recalling its ambassador from the country.

According to a statement by Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey will also suspend work on all trade and military agreements between the two countries.

The move came after the results UN report on the May 2010 deadly raid on a humanitarian flotilla headed to Gaza were leaked to US press.

The Israeli raid left nine Turkish nationals dead and provoked the anger of Turkey, which has ever since held tense relations with Israel.

According to the UN report, the way Israeli forces boarded the vessels trying to break that blockade  was excessive and unreasonable, even though Israel's naval blockade of Gaza is both legal and appropriate.

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