Clashes in Turkey Over Haniyeh's Killing

A group of pro-Palestinian protesters in Turkey's south-eastern province of Diyarbakir scuffled with police following a rally to protest against the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh.

The protesters gathered outside a Burger King, which some people are boycotting over the war in Gaza, as some chanted "Long live hell for the oppressors." Some people threw objects at police and the fast food restaurant, as police sought to push the group back.

Earlier, a large group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered to protest against Haniyeh's killing. A poster hung up on a nearby building with a picture of Haniyeh read, "We are ready for martyrdom for the honor of Palestine and the Ummah."

Haniyeh was killed in Tehran while there to attend the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Israel has not made any official claim of responsibility for his death but Iran and allies including Hamas and Hezbollah have accused Israel of the assassination and vowed revenge. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan declared a day of national mourning for Haniyeh.

Israel's foreign ministry summoned the deputy Turkish ambassador for a reprimand after Turkey's embassy in Tel Aviv lowered its flag to half mast to mourn Haniyeh.

Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oncu Keceli, responding to Katz's remarks on social media platform X, said: "You cannot achieve peace by killing negotiators, threatening diplomats," in an apparent reference to Haniyeh's killing.

Turkey’s President Erdogan frequently describes the Palestinian group as a “liberation movement”.

Turkey meanwhile blocked access to Instagram.

While it did not provide a reason, various media said the move came after the social media platform took down posts expressing condolences at Haniyeh’s passing.

Relations between Turkey and Israel have dramatically worsened since the start of the war in Gaza, in which more than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed.