Israelis ask Turkey for protective gear

The Turkish health minister says Turkey and Israel are discussing an Israeli request to purchase protective medical equipment to combat the coronavirus, despite a rift in ties.

Fahrettin Koca says negotiations would be completed in the coming days, adding that “Turkey is willing to help” Israel during the pandemic. The minister says Turkey also would send medical aid to Gaza.

Once close allies, ties between Israel and Turkey have been tense since 2010, when 10 Turkish citizens were killed by Israeli forces as a Turkish-led flotilla tried to break Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip.

The countries agreed to a U.S.-brokered reconciliation agreement in 2016, but ties broke down again two years ago over a U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.-AP