The Relationship between Turkey and Gaza from a Historical and Political Perspective

Gaza has deep ties with Turkey in terms of history, religion, politics and culture. Since the Ottoman period, Gaza has held an important place in Turkey's foreign policy, social memory and religious culture. In this context, Gaza has had strategic, symbolic and political significance for Turkey from the Ottoman period to the present day.

Gaza in the Ottoman Period (1517–1917)

Gaza was incorporated into Ottoman territory in 1517 during the Egyptian Campaign of Yavuz Sultan Selim. The main objectives of this campaign were to eliminate the Mamluk Sultanate and gain political and religious leadership in the Islamic world. Following the Battle of Ridaniye (22 January 1517), the Mamluks were decisively defeated, and Egypt and the surrounding territories were incorporated into the Ottoman Empire. Gaza also came under Ottoman control as a strategic region during this process.

With this conquest, the Ottomans gained control not only of Gaza but also of the entire Levant region (present-day Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan) and Egypt, and thus the Caliphate passed to the Ottomans. After the conquest, Gaza became a sanjak (district) of the Ottoman Empire's Syrian Eyalet (province) and remained administratively affiliated with Damascus. The Sanjak of Gaza gradually became one of the centres of science and religion under Ottoman rule, with mosques and madrasas being built in the city. During this period, Gaza was located on trade routes and therefore held an important position. It was also considered one of the most important regions of the Islamic world. Turkish rule in Gaza lasted for approximately 400 years (until World War I).

World War I and the Battle of Gaza (1917)

The Ottoman Empire was part of the Central Powers alongside Germany and Austria-Hungary during World War I. Britain sought to protect the Suez Canal and Egypt, and then advance into Palestine and Syria to expel the Ottomans from Arab lands.

Gaza was of great importance as a strategic line of defence to stop the British advance northward. The Palestine Front covers the conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and Britain in Egypt, Palestine, Jordan and Syria during World War I. In 1917, Gaza was the scene of fierce battles between the Ottoman Empire and the British.

These clashes went down in history as the ‘Battles of Gaza.’ The Battles of Gaza (1917) were three major land battles fought between the Ottoman Empire and the British Empire during World War I in the area around Gaza, which is located in present-day Palestine. The Battles of Gaza were among the most critical clashes on the Palestine Front. The Ottoman army, with the 7th and 8th Army units, attempted to halt the British advance on the Palestine Front. Intense fighting took place on this front, particularly in Gaza, Jerusalem, Beersheba, and along the Jordan River.

On the Ottoman side, the Yıldırım Army Group, formed on the orders of Enver Pasha, took charge of the defence on this front. The Battle of Gaza was one of the most important defensive battles fought by the Ottoman army on the Palestine Front. Despite the British superiority in technology and numbers, Ottoman soldiers put up fierce resistance. Thousands of Ottoman soldiers were killed in these battles, and many units from Anatolia fought here.

At the end of the battle, with the fall of Gaza, the British advanced towards Jerusalem and occupied Jerusalem in December 1917. Following these battles, Gaza fell into British hands and Ottoman rule came to an end.

Mustafa Kemal Pasha and Gaza (World War I)

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's relationship with the Palestine Front should be evaluated within a limited and restrictive context, limited to developments in the Arab territories where the Ottoman army defended itself during World War I. Mustafa Kemal did not take on a direct, long-term role on this front; he had a brief command experience and took on a critical role, particularly in connection with the retreat from the Syria-Palestine line.

Mustafa Kemal was appointed Commander of the 7th Army within the Yıldırım Army Group in September 1918. At that time, the Palestine Front was the scene of a major offensive by British General Edmund Allenby (the Battle of Megiddo). The Ottoman front was on the verge of collapse; many units had disintegrated and some had been taken prisoner. Mustafa Kemal attempted to regroup the troops that had retreated to Aleppo and carried out a systematic retreat plan.

Mustafa Kemal succeeded in stopping the British army in October 1918 north of Aleppo (Katma–Ayn Tab region). He emerged as the commander who rallied the front in the final days of the war and prevented the fall of Aleppo. This is one of the important examples demonstrating Mustafa Kemal's strategic defence capabilities and military discipline. This operation took place immediately before the signing of the Armistice of Mudros (30 October 1918).

Mustafa Kemal does not devote much attention to this front in his Nutuk; however, he later made the following assessments: ‘When I assumed command of the Yıldırım Army Group, the situation was dire. The chain of command was broken, and army unity had been lost. I took swift measures and ensured a withdrawal with minimal losses.’

Mustafa Kemal took on a short but critical role on the Palestine Front. In particular, he prevented the retreat from turning into a disaster in the final weeks of the war. This success strengthened his reputation as a commander after the war and paved the way for him to emerge as the leader of the National Struggle that would begin in Anatolia.

Gaza and Turkey in the Modern Era

Gaza is one of the most symbolic, tragic and resilient centres of the Palestinian issue. Historically part of Palestinian territory, this small region has become one of the focal points of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly since the mid-20th century. In this context, Gaza is at the heart of the Palestinian issue as a geopolitical, humanitarian and symbolic area.

Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Gaza Strip was placed under Egyptian control. In 1967, Israel occupied Gaza during the Six-Day War.

United Nations General Assembly Resolution 43/177 was adopted as a resolution ‘accepting the declaration of the State of Palestine made by the Palestinian National Council on 15 November 1988’ and also decided that ‘the term “Palestine” shall be used in the United Nations system in place of the term “Palestine Liberation Organisation”.’ Turkey recognised Palestine's independence on the first day it was declared. Despite the resolution, Israel continued its intervention in the occupied territories.

Finally, after the 1993 Oslo Accords, Gaza was transferred to the Palestinian Authority, and in 2005, Israel withdrew from Gaza; however, it retained control over its airspace, land borders, and sea routes.

In the 2006 elections, the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas won the elections in Gaza.

In 2007, Hamas took full control of Gaza. This led to Gaza being placed under political and economic blockade by both Israel and the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Since then, Gaza has been referred to as an ‘open-air prison under siege.’ Gaza has been subjected to numerous Israeli military attacks over the past 20 years. Most recently, on 7 October 2023, Israel launched a large-scale operation in Gaza in retaliation for an attack by Hamas. The methods used by Israel in this operation, which has been ongoing for nearly two years, are being questioned under the laws of war and have been met with international condemnation.

Turkey's Policy on Gaza

Turkey is among the leading countries supporting the Palestinian cause. It has accepted and demands the implementation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 43/177, which recognises an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Turkey has taken a stance against Israel's blockade of Gaza, provided humanitarian aid to Gaza, and frequently criticised Israel's actions in international forums. The Mavi Marmara incident (2010) is the most well-known example of Turkey's efforts to send aid to Gaza.

The Mavi Marmara incident refers to the raid carried out by the Israeli army on 31 May 2010 in international waters against a civilian ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of nine Turkish citizens, the injury of many others, and a deep crisis in Turkish-Israeli relations.

Mavi Marmara was the largest ship in the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ organised by the Turkish humanitarian aid organisation IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation to deliver aid to Gaza. The flotilla consisted of a total of six ships carrying activists, journalists and volunteers from 36 countries.

The aim was to break the blockade imposed by Israel since 2007 and deliver medicine, food, construction materials and medical aid to the people of the region. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) raided the ships in international waters (in the Mediterranean Sea) with helicopters and boats. Nine Turkish citizens were killed and dozens were injured in the clashes on the Mavi Marmara. (One of the seriously injured later died in 2014.) The incident sparked widespread international outrage, with harsh criticism of Israel's use of force in international waters against unarmed civilians. The United Nations established an investigative commission (the Palmer Report).

The report found Israel's blockade of Gaza to be legitimate, but its use of disproportionate force to be unjustified. Following the incident, Turkey demanded an official apology from Israel, compensation, and the lifting of the Gaza blockade.

Turkey froze diplomatic relations with Israel and recalled its ambassador. Israel's ambassador to Ankara was expelled. Military cooperation and exercises between the two countries were cancelled. Turkey brought the incident to the international legal arena and filed lawsuits against Israel. In 2013, with the mediation of US President Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu apologised to Turkey. In 2016, Turkey and Israel entered a normalisation process; Israel agreed to pay $20 million in compensation.

However, due to Gaza policies and the Jerusalem issue, relations between the two countries have repeatedly strained, and following Israel's operation in Gaza in October 2023, Turkey-Israel relations have reached a breaking point. Turkey is also providing infrastructure aid to Gaza, including hospitals, schools, and water treatment facilities.

Conclusion

Gaza has earned its place in Turkish history not only as a city, but also as a memory and a symbol. Gaza's significance for Turkey stems not only from historical ties, but also from a sense of current humanitarian, moral and political responsibility.

Approximately 2.3 million people live in a very small area in Gaza. According to UN reports, Gaza is one of the places with the most difficult living conditions. Access to electricity, water, medicine and basic food is in a constant state of crisis. Most of the young population is unemployed and has no future, and a large part of the population lives on aid.

Gaza, under Israeli blockade, is both at the centre of a humanitarian tragedy and a symbol of political resistance within the Palestinian issue. This region, which struggles with constant siege, war, poverty and international indifference, is the only place that reminds the world of Palestine's historical and moral cause in the harshest terms.