How Turkish media covered Gaza cease-fire

Israel and Hamas reached an agreement for a cease-fire in Gaza, effective from Jan. 19. The deal also includes the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

The development comes after Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Gaza, which began following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

The conflict has resulted in over 46,700 deaths, the majority of which are women and children, despite a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

Throughout the conflict, Türkiye has closely monitored the situation in Gaza. Turkish media outlets, with reporters on the ground, have faced direct Israeli attacks, endangering their journalists’ lives as they continue to report from the region.

Freelance cameraman for Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency, Saed Abu Nabhan, was shot and killed by an Israeli sniper while on duty in the Nuseirat area of the central Gaza Strip in early January 2025. Abu Nabhan, who leaves behind a wife and one child, was reporting from the region when the attack occurred.

Türkiye was left in shock when Israeli soldiers killed Turkish-American activist Aysenur Eygi in the West Bank on Sept. 6, 2024. Eygi, known for her activism, was fatally shot during the incident, which sparked outrage and widespread condemnation.

Gaza has been on Türkiye’s agenda for a long time, and the long-awaited cease-fire has not been covered “widely enough” in the Turkish media headlines.

Media covers ongoing attacks amid Gaza cease-fire negotiations

While the Turkish media outlet Sabah, covered the cease-fire with headlines such as “Gaza resistance defeated the Zionists”, the Turkish media mainly covered Israel’s ongoing attacks while the cease-fire negotiations were ongoing.

The Turkish media outlet Posta reported President-elect Donald Trump’s remarks on the cease-fire in Gaza. Meanwhile Hurriyet, another Turkish media outlet covered the cease-fire in gaza by saying, “A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, where tens of thousands of people have died for more than 15 months, has ‘finally’ been achieved.”

‘Historic victory over genocide’

It was reported that Israel would gradually withdraw from Gaza as part of the cease-fire agreement, which was met with widespread joy in Palestine. Turkish media outlet Sabah also highlighted ongoing Israeli attacks in the region with sub-headlines such as “They killed 62 people while the ceasefire was being discussed,” emphasizing Israel’s continued attacks even as discussions for peace were underway.

The Turkish media extensively covered the Gaza cease-fire, using expressions like Aksam’s “Historic victory against genocide” and “Ceasefire in Gaza after 467 days.”

Another media outlet, Milliyet also highlighted the rivalry between U.S. leaders Biden and Trump, with statements like “‘I did it’ race.”

Turkish media will closely monitor the cease-fire, set to begin on Jan. 19. Despite the impending cease-fire, Israel continues to bomb Gaza.