Turkey's Provocative Mourning of Hamas Terrorist Provokes Israeli Condemnation

Turkey's decision to lower its flags to half-mast in honor of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh sparked outrage in Israel, prompting a "severe reprimand" from the Israeli foreign minister.

Ankara's decision to mourn the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh with a day of mourning and lowered flags has drawn sharp criticism from Israel, which denounced the move as an expression of support for "a murderer."

The Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv lowered its flag in honor of Haniyeh, prompting Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz to summon the deputy Turkish ambassador for a "severe reprimand."

Turkey's Provocative Mourning of Hamas Terrorist Provokes Israeli Condemnation

"The State of Israel will not tolerate expressions of mourning for a murderer like Ismail Haniyeh," Katz said in a statement, accusing Turkey of turning into a "dictatorship" for its support of "Hamas' murderers and rapists, against the stance of the entire free world."

Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oncu Keceli responded by criticizing Israel for "killing negotiators" and "threatening diplomats," seemingly referring to Haniyeh's involvement in ongoing ceasefire talks.

Turkey's Provocative Mourning of Hamas Terrorist Provokes Israeli Condemnation

Images on social media suggest that the Turkish flag was also lowered to half-mast at the Turkish embassy in Washington, D.C., although Fox News Digital could not immediately verify these images.

Neither the Turkish embassy in Washington, D.C., nor the U.S. State Department responded to Fox News Digital's inquiries regarding the incident.

Turkey's Provocative Mourning of Hamas Terrorist Provokes Israeli Condemnation

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been outspoken in his condemnation of Haniyeh's killing, which allegedly involved a bomb planted in his Tehran residence.

Haniyeh's death has raised questions about how a bomb could have been placed months in advance in a heavily guarded building by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Turkey's Provocative Mourning of Hamas Terrorist Provokes Israeli Condemnation

Unlike the strike in Beirut that killed Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr, Israel has not claimed responsibility for Haniyeh's assassination.

However, Iran, along with Hamas and Hezbollah, has accused Israel of the murder and vowed to take revenge.

Iran has blamed Israel for Haniyeh's assassination, who it claims was a "martyr" and a "symbol of resistance."

Turkey's actions have raised concerns about its support for Hamas, a terrorist organization designated as such by the United States and the European Union.

Turkey's mourning of Haniyeh has further strained relations between Ankara and Israel, which have been historically tense.

The incident has also highlighted the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the potential for escalation between Israel and its adversaries.