IHH, a Turkish Organization Now Operating Heavy Machinery in Gaza, Was Banned in Israel as Early as 2008 for Its Ties to Hamas
The Turkish organization IHH, which is operating in the Gaza Strip using heavy machinery, was involved in the Mavi Marmara flotilla in 2010 and was banned in Israel as early as 2008 due to its ties to Hamas. These connections also led Germany to prohibit the organization’s activities within its territory. “The IHH has, under the cover of humanitarian aid, supported Gaza Strip-based so-called social associations which are attributable to Hamas,” the German Interior Ministry previously stated. A report by Shomrim


The Turkish organization IHH, which is operating in the Gaza Strip using heavy machinery, was involved in the Mavi Marmara flotilla in 2010 and was banned in Israel as early as 2008 due to its ties to Hamas. These connections also led Germany to prohibit the organization’s activities within its territory. “The IHH has, under the cover of humanitarian aid, supported Gaza Strip-based so-called social associations which are attributable to Hamas,” the German Interior Ministry previously stated. A report by Shomrim

The Turkish organization IHH, which is operating in the Gaza Strip using heavy machinery, was involved in the Mavi Marmara flotilla in 2010 and was banned in Israel as early as 2008 due to its ties to Hamas. These connections also led Germany to prohibit the organization’s activities within its territory. “The IHH has, under the cover of humanitarian aid, supported Gaza Strip-based so-called social associations which are attributable to Hamas,” the German Interior Ministry previously stated. A report by Shomrim
Turkish President Erdogan hosts Hamas leadership, April 2024. Photo: Reuters

Milan Czerny

Uri Blau
October 20, 2025
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A few days after the ceasefire in Gaza came into effect, various international organizations began to operate on the ground, taking part in rebuilding Gaza and distributing humanitarian aid. One of the organizations that has increased its involvement is the Turkish organization IHH – The Humanitarian Relief Foundation, which Israel designated as a terrorist organization due to its involvement in the Mavi Marmara flotilla and its ties to Hamas. Germany also banned the organization’s activities within its borders over alleged ties to Hamas.
Turkish media outlets have broadcast videos showing tractors bearing Turkish flags clearing debris in the Gaza Strip. Even prior to the ceasefire agreement, IHH was already operating in Gaza, providing food and aid to Palestinians. It expanded its operations in recent days, using heavy machinery, as part of efforts to clear rubble and locate bodies.
The Turkish ambassador to Egypt, Salih Mutlu Şen, wrote on X that Turkey will provide “all possible support through its public and voluntary organizations to help rebuild Gaza.”

While IHH is not a Turkish governmental organization, it is believed to maintain extensive ties with the Turkish government and the ruling party of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The organization has been active for two decades and is well known to Israel. As early as 2008, the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, classified it as a terrorist organization and banned its activities in Israel. Two years later, in 2010, IHH helped organize the Mavi Marmara flotilla, triggering a major diplomatic crisis between the two countries after Israeli troops killed 10 Turkish activists on the Gaza-bound ship.
Since October 7, 2023, and Hamas-led attacks on Israel, relations between Israel and Turkey have reached an unprecedented low. Beyond Erdoğan’s hostile rhetoric, Turkey has significantly reduced trade with Israel and announced in August that it would restrict access for ships and flights carrying weapons to Israel.
Although Turkey’s involvement in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire served as leverage over Hamas, questions abound regarding how the IHH’s involvement in Gaza aligns with the policy of the current Israeli government, whose officials have harshly criticized Turkey and its president. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called Turkish President Erdoğan a dangerous antisemitic dictator in March.

Now, it appears that Turkish organizations have been authorized to operate in Gaza, as it is unlikely that IHH’s use of heavy equipment in the Strip is occurring without Israeli approval.
COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) has not replied to a request for comment as of the publication of this article.