In the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Turkey will try to leverage its population's pro-Palestinian sympathies to position itself as a mediator for humanitarian aid and hostage releases. However, Turks' growing anger over the recent hospital attack in Gaza will ultimately strain Ankara's relations with Israel and prompt Turkey to align closer with neighboring Arab countries. Allegations of Israel's involvement in the Oct. 17 Al-Ahli Hospital explosion in Gaza City immediately triggered a public outcry in Turkey, where pro-Palestinian protests have erupted in more than 12 cities over the past two days, as well as outside the Israeli embassy in Ankara. In the aftermath of the blast, the Turkish government issued several statements publicly blaming Israel amid conflicting accusations from Israel and Hamas. Prior to the hospital blast, Turkey had been positioning itself as a potential mediator in the Israel-Hamas war, given Ankara's relationships with Israel and other regional stakeholders, as well...
