The government of Turkey has announced that it will stop all trade with Israel, but the airspaces of the two countries remain open. Meanwhile, Ankara reports that Tel Aviv blocked a Turkish Air Force flight that was bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza. And this is precisely the reason for Ankara's decision: if the flow of supplies to the Palestinians does not improve, the trade blockade will come into force on Thursday 9 May.

Due to the "worsening humanitarian tragedy in Palestine" Ankara expands the restrictions introduced in April on the export of some goods to Israel. Now "the second phase has started" which will affect "all products". "Turkey will firmly implement these new measures until the Government of Israel allows an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza", the Turkish trade ministry said in a statement.

The ministry, led by Ömer Bolat, together with the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, are working to ensure that Palestinians are not negatively affected by this trade block. A move that increases tension between Turkey and Israel, with Ankara putting pressure on Tel Aviv and hoping for an immediate ceasefire, in view of the start of the reconstruction plan which will see Egypt and, among many, Ankara itself as protagonists.