Turkish Police Prevent Protesters Opposing Israel from Entering US Military Base

Turkish media reported that police on Sunday fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters who gathered near the US airbase in southern Turkey. According to the Associated Press, citing the newspaper Karar and other Turkish media, the police intervention occurred as demonstrators attempted to enter the military base. Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had strongly criticized Israel for its response to the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7. However, according to Reuters, he also stated that he does not wish to sever Turkey's relations with Israel. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, and Japan. The military base in Incirlik is home to the US Air Force's 39th Wing. Turkey is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Associated Press reported that hundreds of vehicles entered Incirlik on Sunday afternoon, and a large crowd gathered near the base to listen to speeches. Many Turkish protesters held placards and flags of Turkey and Palestine. The demonstration in Incirlik took place hours before the arrival of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Turkey to discuss Gaza with Turkish officials. Florida lawmakers are participating in a 'four-day special session' aimed at tightening sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Initial estimates suggest that the cost of the Gaza war for Israel is 'around $51 billion'. Qatar states that the release of hostages in Gaza requires 'a period of calm'. Blinken emphasized the 'commitment of the United States to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza' during his meeting with Abbas.