By AMIR BOHBOT AUGUST 24, 2026

Turkey is a “rival and not an enemy” to Israel, security officials said on Sunday, warning that the situation could change amid the ongoing shifts in the Middle East.

According to assessments within the security establishment, Turkey seeks to strengthen a Sunni axis that is, among other things, anti-Israel.

Turkey is a “rival and not an enemy” to Israel, security officials said on Sunday, warning that the situation could change amid the ongoing shifts in the Middle East.

According to assessments within the security establishment, Turkey seeks to strengthen a Sunni axis that is, among other things, anti-Israel. The officials rejected Syrian and Turkish denials, saying warnings were issued before the strike but ignored by the parties involved. Therefore, under close scrutiny and following recommendations from Israeli intelligence and the Israeli Air Force, including pressure from IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, the decision was made to carry out the strike in order to send a message while clearly avoiding harm to people.