DHAKA: Israel and Turkey have normalized relations, ending a six-year rift over the killing by Israeli troops of 10 Turkish activists on a Gaza-bound ship.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said a deal reached on Sunday would see Israel pay $20m in compensation, reports the BBC.

It will also allow Turkey to send aid to Gaza and carry out infrastructure projects in the Palestinian territory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the agreement would help bring ‘stability’ to the Middle East.

Turkey was once Israel’s closest ally in the region, and the two countries share many strategic interests.

The Turkish and Israeli prime ministers announced the deal to restore diplomatic ties at simultaneous news conferences in Ankara and Rome.

Yildirim said the two countries would appoint ambassadors ‘as soon as possible’ after the agreement is signed on Tuesday.

A ‘lifeline to Palestinians’ would be provided, he added, with the first ship loaded with 10,000 tones of aid due to leave for the Israeli port of Ashdod on Friday.

The reconciliation deal between Israel and Turkey will see a return to normal diplomatic relations, but ties are unlikely to have the warmth that they did in the past.

BDST: 2025 HRS, JUN 27, 2016
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