Quoting multiple Israeli security officials, the report claims that Turkey’s humanitarian and reconstruction missions often conceal strategic military intentions, including the establishment of intelligence networks and covert military bases in foreign territories.

According to i24NEWS, Israel fears that Turkey may repeat what it has done in Cyprus, Libya, Sudan, and Somalia, where Ankara’s entry under the banner of "peacekeeping” or "humanitarian support” allegedly evolved into long-term military footholds.

Historical Precedents

In Cyprus (1974), Turkey justified its invasion as a peacekeeping operation. Five decades later, Turkey still occupies Northern Cyprus, maintains around 35,000 troops there, and has raised its flag on the island’s mountainsides.

The report continues that after the 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, Ankara rapidly expanded its educational and cultural influence across West Africa—opening new schools in Gambia, Guinea, Niger, Senegal, Ghana, and Benin.
These institutions, promoted under the banner of "brotherhood and friendship,” are said to serve Turkey’s soft-power ambitions, with thousands of African youth learning Turkish language and culture, many later employed in Turkish-linked organizations or diplomatic missions.

Somalia Example

In Somalia, Turkey built its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu in 2017, officially to train Somali forces. However, Israeli intelligence reportedly believes the base also houses naval intelligence units monitoring the Indian Ocean and regional maritime routes.
As i24NEWS quotes, "Turkey has penetrated the Somali mindset and raised a generation loyal to Ankara.”

Libya and Beyond

In Libya, Turkey’s presence is said to have begun with "engineering ships” delivering aid, which were later found to be transporting missiles, ammunition, and drone components.
Israeli security agencies fear a similar model could be replicated in Gaza, under the guise of humanitarian reconstruction.

Israeli Security Concerns

Israeli intelligence assessments for 2024 reportedly highlight deep concerns that Turkey may use humanitarian shipments to smuggle surveillance technology, drone parts, or missile guidance systems into Gaza.
Some containers labeled as engineering tools could actually hide fiber-optic cables, radar sensors, and computer servers capable of supporting military or cyber operations against Israeli targets.

An Israeli security officer quoted by i24NEWS said:

"Every time Turkey builds something in the name of peace, it leaves behind cameras, military bases, and influence networks. That’s not speculation—it’s a historical pattern.”

Conclusion

The report ends with a powerful question:

"The question is not what Turkey intends to do in Gaza — the real question is: who can stop Turkey if it decides to go in?”

By Dahir Alasow 

Investigative Journalist

✍️ Editorial Note (Waagacusub):

This report highlights Israel’s growing strategic anxiety over Turkey’s expanding influence in the Middle East and Africa — a dynamic increasingly visible from Mogadishu to Gaza.