Israel Considers Closing Istanbul Consulate

 

Israel Considers Closing Istanbul Consulate

A deepening diplomatic crisis between Israel and Türkiye has prompted Israeli officials to weigh the permanent closure of their Istanbul consulate. Both the Istanbul consulate and the Ankara embassy have been unmanned by Israeli diplomats since October 7, with operations currently managed by local staff and diplomats stationed in Bulgaria. In separate diplomatic activities in the city, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently hosted a young Palestinian content creator at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Working Office.

Sources: Ynet News | TRT World

Turkish Ministers and Iraqi Kurdish Officials Convene for Diplomatic Talks in Istanbul

 

Turkish Ministers and Iraqi Kurdish Officials Convene for Diplomatic Talks in Istanbul

High-level diplomatic discussions took place in Istanbul between Turkish officials and representatives from the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government. The separate meetings involved both the Turkish Foreign Minister and the Defense Minister. Specific details regarding the agenda of the discussions have not been publicly disclosed by official sources.

Source:

• Anadolu Ajansı: Turkish foreign, defense ministers hold separate talks with Iraqi Kurdish Regional officials

Turkish Intelligence Chief Hosts Senior Hamas Leaders in Istanbul

 

Turkish Intelligence Chief Hosts Senior Hamas Leaders in Istanbul

On March 22, 2026, Ibrahim Kalin, the head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT), hosted senior leaders of Hamas's political bureau in Istanbul. The discussions focused on reviewing the ongoing regional conflict, assessing the multi-phase Gaza ceasefire framework, and coordinating diplomatic strategies.

The meeting underscores Ankara's sustained policy of high-level engagement with the Islamist group, functioning as a diplomatic intermediary in broader Middle Eastern negotiations. This development closely follows a move by the U.S. Treasury Department to sanction several Turkish charities accused of facilitating financial operations and resource transfers for Hamas networks. Turkey maintains its stance of recognizing Hamas as a legitimate political entity rather than a designated terrorist organization.

Sources:

• FDD's Long War Journal