Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said a recent operation in Turkey targeting people who are allegedly involved in spying for Israel has surprised Tel Aviv and has been the best response to threats against Turkey, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
He was referring to the detention of 34 suspects in a coordinated operation across eight provinces last week. Among them, 15 were arrested over the weekend on charges of engaging in espionage for Israel’s Mossad intelligence service.
“Our [intelligence] service, which unearthed the spy network [for Israel] in our country, has given the best response to those threatening us. This has surprised Israel. But wait, this is only the first step. You will get to know Turkey. You don’t yet, but you have to,” Erdoğan said, referring to Israel.
His remarks came during an event in Ankara on Wednesday marking the 97th anniversary of the National Intelligence Organization’s (MİT) establishment.
MİT carried out the operation against the suspected spies for Israel, whose alleged activities included planning abductions and gathering intelligence, in coordination with Turkey’s national police department and was extensively covered in the local and Israeli media.
A manhunt by Turkish security forces for an additional 13 people implicated in the espionage ring is under way.
Relations between Turkey and Israel deteriorated sharply following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
These developments follow reports of Israel’s plans to assassinate members of Hamas living abroad.
Ronen Bar, the head of Israel’s Shin Bet, has publicly stated Israel’s intention to target Hamas leaders globally, including in Turkey, Qatar and Lebanon.
Erdoğan has warned of severe repercussions if Israel targets Hamas members in Turkey.
According to Anadolu, 26 of the 34 suspects were referred to the court on charges of espionage.
Eight suspects are reportedly set for deportation.
Unlike most of its Western allies, Turkey does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization.
NATO member Turkey’s Western allies have time and again criticized what they see as the government of President Erdoğan providing a safe haven for Hamas officials and members.
Israel began pounding the Palestinian enclave of Gaza after Hamas militants carried out an unprecedented surprise attack in Israel on Oct. 7 that claimed some 1,200 lives.
Israeli air and ground attacks in Gaza have resulted in at least 23,000 deaths since October 7 in addition to causing massive destruction in the enclave.