Yedioth: Erdogan is consolidating his influence in Gaza and entering direct competition with Egypt and Qatar.

Turkey has forcefully entered the Gaza file after U.S. President Donald Trump decided to include Ankara as a third arm in the mediation triangle alongside Qatar and Egypt, despite its nearly severed relations with the Israeli occupation state.

Israeli writer Smadar Perry explained that: "Economic relations between Turkey and Israel have been frozen, and the movement of goods and civilian visits has significantly declined, especially after Turkish Airlines suspended all its flights to Ben Gurion Airport at the start of the war, while there are reports of Ankara's intention to resume those flights soon."

Perry added in the article published by the Hebrew newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" that: "The change began last month when Trump hosted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House, praising him by saying: He is tough, but I admire him; it is clear that he is stubborn."

Perry pointed out that among those close to him is Ibrahim Kalin, who was Erdoğan's right-hand man before being appointed head of the Turkish intelligence agency, and is known for his extensive relations with Israeli officials, having been seen in Sharm El Sheikh embracing retired General Nitzan Alon, head of the missing persons unit in the Israeli occupation army.

She confirmed that: "Kalin is aware of the details of the complex issue, and it is noteworthy that he did not demand the release of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti, even though Turkish newspapers describe him as a potential successor to President Mahmoud Abbas."

The writer indicated that: "Turkey, after initiating mediation, does not intend to withdraw from the scene, as Erdoğan is preparing to send representatives to every committee for the reconstruction of Gaza and to direct unemployed Turkish workers to participate in reconstruction plans, which could hinder similar projects for Egypt."

She clarified that: "The Turkish president does not hesitate to direct sharp criticisms at Israel," while affirming at the same time: "His commitment to Hamas and his relations with it are public and known."

Perry added that Turkey could become the new refuge for Hamas leadership if they are expelled from Qatar, explaining that several lower-ranking members of the movement are already in Ankara and Istanbul, moving between Qatar and Turkey carrying messages that reach the Turkish president's office and intelligence agencies.

The writer also quoted Erdoğan accusing the Israeli occupation state of violating its commitments in Gaza and directing sharp criticisms at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting that "Israel is breaching its commitments with flimsy claims, but we will ensure that it does not repeat that."

Perry added that: "Erdoğan believes that Trump is the one who will determine who will govern Gaza after the war, and that Turkey does not intend to withdraw from this file, while Hamas members roam the streets of the sector carrying their weapons without being asked to surrender them, as Ankara prepares to participate in the 'next day' plan."

The Israeli writer concluded her article by noting that: "Turkey, which describes Hamas as a 'legitimate resistance movement,' continues to strengthen its presence in Gaza and its strained relations with Israel, confirming that Ankara has 'entered forcefully and is achieving victories,' and it is unlikely that Erdoğan will seek to improve his relations with Tel Aviv, especially as long as Trump continues to describe him as: the person whose opinion I admire."