The Global Sumud Flotilla left the southwestern Türkiye port of Marmaris on Thursday with 54 boats and activists from 70 countries — including Hak-İş labour confederation president Mahmut Arslan — in a second attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, two weeks after Israeli forces intercepted the convoy in international waters off Greece on April 30. Spanish-Palestinian organiser Saif Abu Keshek, deported from Israel on Sunday alongside Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, told reporters in Marmaris on Wednesday that 'more than 500 brave people' would resume the mission and accused Israel of conducting a 'slow genocide' through the blockade. The relaunch follows a September 2025 attempt by the same group that was intercepted in international waters with hundreds of activists detained.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday published an article in Kazakhstan’s Kazinform news agency arguing that the Turkic world has an increasingly important role in promoting peace and stability across Eurasia. Writing during his visit to Kazakhstan for the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States, Erdoğan said existing global governance mechanisms have failed and called for a fairer international system. He also highlighted deepening ties with Kazakhstan, citing bilateral trade approaching $10 billion and Turkish investments reaching nearly $6 billion.

Turkey on Thursday condemned a raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem led by Israeli Minister of Negev and Galilee Affairs Yitzhak Wasserlauf. The Foreign Ministry said the act violated the site's historical and legal status as a Muslim holy site and risked deepening regional tensions. The raid occurred two days before Israel marks the anniversary of its 1967 occupation of East Jerusalem.

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is continuing work on a new civilian constitution to replace the military-era charter, senior party official Hayati Yazıcı said Wednesday. Speaking at a party event in Ankara, Yazıcı said the current constitution no longer reflects the country's evolving political and social realities. The effort follows President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's renewed call last week for a "new, inclusive, libertarian and civilian constitution."

Background: The 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara was previously discussed by Atlantic Council experts who proposed five ideas for its success. Today's development: A preview meeting co-hosted by the British, French, and German embassies in Ankara on May 12 confirmed the summit will take place July 7-8. Key agenda items include alliance solidarity and defense (tested by Iran's missile attack on Israel, where NATO air defense systems intercepted four Iranian missiles), defense industrial cooperation, Middle East security and energy ties (linked to the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz crisis), and Black Sea security as part of NATO's eastern flank. Turkey is expected to sign new defense deals and may invite Gulf states (Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain) as observers. Turkey insists on preserving NATO's consensus-based nature and opposes exclusion due to non-EU membership. The summit will host 5,000-6,000 people, marking Ankara's first large-scale international event.

Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) is conducting ongoing damage assessment and response operations after heavy rainfall caused floods and water overflows in several provinces. Yellow weather warnings were issued for 16 provinces on May 12. Over 1,500 personnel and heavy equipment were deployed to Samsun and Çankırı, where 333 flood-related reports were received. The Turkish Red Crescent distributed aid, and damage assessment teams began work. This event highlights the scale of the natural disaster and the coordinated emergency response in Turkey.

Turkish authorities in Eskişehir issued detention warrants for 60 suspects, including deputy mayors and municipal bureaucrats from the main opposition CHP, on charges of corruption, embezzlement, forgery, tax fraud, and money laundering. 23 have been detained. The probe follows a broader crackdown on CHP-run municipalities since late 2024, with a separate indictment against Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan seeking up to 263 years in prison for bribery and corruption.

Turkey's Defense Ministry announced work on a new framework law regulating the country's maritime jurisdiction areas, aimed at defining responsibilities and eliminating domestic legal deficiencies. The move comes amid ongoing disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea over maritime boundaries and energy exploration. The ministry reaffirmed Ankara's commitment to protecting its maritime rights.