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Türkiye prevented Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from attending Monday's Gaza summit in Egypt through diplomatic pressure, causing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's aircraft to circle over the Red Sea until confirmation of the Israeli leader's absence, according to Turkish diplomatic sources and media reports.
"At the initiative of President Erdogan and through Türkiye's diplomatic efforts—with the support of other leaders—Netanyahu did not attend the meeting in Egypt," a Turkish diplomatic source told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on condition of anonymity.
The presidential aircraft delayed its landing after reports emerged that Netanyahu might participate in the summit, Turkish media reported Monday.
TGRT Haber's Ankara Bureau Chief Fatih Atik claimed Erdogan instructed his aircraft to "turn back" upon learning of Netanyahu's possible attendance.
Turkish media outlet Hurriyet's Ankara Bureau Chief Hande Firat, who was aboard the presidential flight, described the aircraft's maneuvers as it approached the Egyptian airport.
"We passed over the runway. Just as we were about to land, reports came in that Netanyahu would be attending the summit," Firat said, adding: "From that moment, it was expected that the plane might turn around at any time."
The aircraft performed a go-around maneuver and circled above the Red Sea until the Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced Netanyahu would not attend, according to Firat's account.
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