Azerbaijan's State News Agency Briefly Reports on Turkish-Israeli Trade Before Deleting Article

Azerbaijan's state-affiliated news agency APA published and then quickly deleted a report detailing ongoing trade between Turkey and Israel, despite Turkish President Erdoğan's embargo. The report, which was noted by the Turkish opposition outlet Halk TV, highlighted that at least 456 ships have sailed from Turkey to Israel using flags from Panama, Liberia, Malta, and the Marshall Islands, rather than Turkish flags. An analysis by APA between September 17-30 of this year indicated that six ships with Turkish ties docked in Israeli ports, including Haifa and Ashdod, 11 times. APA closely monitored these vessels, some of which traveled directly from Turkish ports to Israel. Halk TV cited an example of a ship that departed Turkey's Ambarli port on September 27 and arrived in Ashdod on September 30. Ship tracking data showed that the destination was not listed, and the type of cargo remained unclear.

Separately, a report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) indicates that the Abraham Accords have yielded significant "peace dividends" for participating companies, particularly in the defense sector. Six years after the accords were established, the war this year against Iran has underscored their importance. Israel reportedly transferred a Iron Dome battery and personnel, the David's Sling laser-based air defense system, and the Specter drone detection system to the United Arab Emirates. This reflects a growing security partnership among Abraham Accords signatories. The IISS estimates that defense exports to the UAE, Morocco, and Bahrain have reached approximately $8.8 billion. While initial sales were minimal, 2022 saw a surge to about $3 billion, representing 24% of Israel's total defense exports that year. Notable deals include Elbit's $2.3 billion agreement with the UAE. Unconfirmed reports suggest Morocco has acquired Elbit's Hermes 900 drones, Israel Aerospace Industries' Harop loitering munitions, and Rafael's Spike missile systems.

In Gaza, a report by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics reveals the extent of urban destruction following three years of conflict, with approximately 82% of buildings damaged. The report, cited by Al-Quds, states that around 328,000 residential buildings have been affected. Humanitarian concerns are high, as the Palestinian population in Gaza has been confined to about 40% of the strip, intensifying pressure on refugee camps. Infrastructure damage is severe, with nearly 90% of water and sanitation networks either completely destroyed or heavily damaged. This lack of basic services has led to a critical shortage of clean water, with Al-Quds warning of a potential health and environmental disaster. According to the report, about 82% of households in Gaza do not receive a regular, safe water supply, and roughly 70% of the population receives only about six liters of water per person per day, falling far short of the World Health Organization's minimum survival standard of 15 liters per person.