GAZA CITY: Hamas urged governments around the world on Friday to "escalate punitive measures" against Israel after Türkiye said it had closed its ports and airspace to Israeli ships and planes.
"We urge Türkiye, as well as Arab and Islamic countries and the free nations of the world, to escalate punitive measures against" Israel, the group said in a statement.
It called on countries to "sever all relations with it and work to isolate it — so as to compel it to halt the genocide and destruction of Gaza".
Ties between Türkiye and Israel have been shattered by Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, with Ankara accusing Israel of committing "genocide" in the tiny Palestinian territory — a term roundly rejected by Israel — and suspending all trade ties in May last year.
"We have closed our ports to Israeli ships. We do not allow Turkish ships to go to Israeli ports.... We do not allow container ships carrying weapons and ammunition to Israel to enter our ports, nor do we allow their aircraft to enter our airspace", Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told lawmakers in a televised address.
The Israeli military declared Gaza City "a dangerous combat zone" on Friday ahead of a looming offensive to conquer the Palestinian territory's largest city after almost two years of devastating war.
Israel is under mounting pressure at home and abroad to end its offensive in Gaza, where the vast majority of the population has been displaced at least once and the United Nations has declared a famine.
The Israeli military, however, is gearing up to expand the fighting and seize Gaza City, with its Arabic-language spokesman saying on Friday: "We are not waiting. We have begun preliminary operations and the initial stages of the attack on Gaza City and we are currently operating with great force on the outskirts of the city". Avichay Adraee said on X.
The UN estimates that nearly a million people currently live in Gaza governorate, which includes Gaza City and its surroundings in the north of the territory.
The UN declared a famine in Gaza governorate last week, blaming "systematic obstruction" by Israel of humanitarian aid deliveries.
Gaza's civil defence agency reported at least 40 people killed by Israeli forces across the Palestinian territory on Friday.
Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency or the Israeli military.
UN chief Antonio Guterres has condemned the "endless catalogue of horrors" in Gaza, calling for accountability and warning of potential war crimes. — Agencies
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