Special to WorldTribune.com

Israeli officials are questioning the significance of Turkey’s intent to improve ties with the Jewish state.

Senior Israeli security sources told Walla! News on Dec. 22 that Turkey’s motive for rapprochement with Israel is due to Ankara’s falling out with Moscow after shooting down a Russian Su-24 jet on the Syrian border in November.

Russia had been a top supplier of natural gas to Turkey before the November incident, but Moscow responded by sanctioning Ankara. Days later, talks surfaced of warming Israel-Turkey ties, including gas trade from Israel.

The sources did say that repairing relations could benefit Israel if Turkey changes its tune on Hamas. Ankara currently hosts Hamas jihadists, including those involved in planning terror attacks in Israel and several who were expelled in the 2011 Gilad Shalit deal that saw 1,027 terrorists go free.

The Israeli security sources denied reports that Israel agreed to ease the blockade on the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Dec. 21 confirmed that Israel would not agree to an ease on the naval blockade.

  Benjamin Netanyahu, Gaza blockade, Israeli officials question Turkey’s motives for warming ties, WorldTribune.com