Turkey has barred Israeli vessels from its ports and is preventing Turkish ships from calling at Israeli ports, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told an extraordinary parliamentary session on Friday, August 29.

Fidan presented the restrictions as part of Ankara’s response to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. However, he provided limited operational detail, and his comments appeared to cover measures that Turkey had either already introduced or had begun implementing.

“We have totally cut our trade with Israel, we have closed off our ports to Israeli ships and we are not allowing Turkish vessels to go to Israel’s ports,” Fidan told lawmakers during the parliamentary session on Gaza.

He also said Turkey would not permit container ships carrying weapons and ammunition for Israel to enter Turkish ports. In addition, aircraft heading to Israel would face restrictions on entering Turkish airspace, although Fidan did not explain how those controls would be applied.

The announcement follows reports that Turkish port authorities had started informally asking shipping agents to submit declarations confirming that vessels were not connected to Israel. According to sources cited by Reuters, the requested letters also had to state that ships were not carrying military or hazardous cargo destined for the country.

A source had separately indicated that Turkish-flagged vessels would be prohibited from calling at Israeli ports. Fidan’s parliamentary remarks publicly confirmed that Turkish ships were not being allowed to use those facilities.

The measures add to Turkey’s wider suspension of trade with Israel. Ankara has strongly criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza, accused the country of genocide and called for international measures against it. Israel denies the genocide allegation.

Fidan also told parliament that Turkey had received presidential approval to conduct air drops of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He said Turkish aircraft were ready and that operations could proceed once Jordan granted approval.

The Israeli government did not immediately comment on Fidan’s statements. No further information was provided on enforcement procedures, the definition of an Israeli-linked vessel, exemptions, implementation dates or the scope of the restrictions affecting shipping and aviation.