Israel withdraws all diplomatic personnel from Türkiye

STORY: Israel withdraws all diplomatic personnel from TürkiyeDATELINE: Oct. 20, 2023LENGTH: 00:00:41LOCATION: Ankara/ISTANBUL, TürkiyeCATEGORY: POLITICSSHOTLIST:1. various of Israeli citizens leaving TürkiyeSTORYLINE:Israel has withdrawn all of its diplomatic personnel from Türkiye for “security reasons” against the backdrop of the deadly Israel-Hamas conflict, two informed diplomatic sources told Xinhua on Thursday.   “All Israeli personnel from diplomatic missions in Türkiye have been withdrawn for security reasons,” said the sources, who declined to be named.   The Israeli National Security Council issued a travel advisory on Tuesday to Israeli citizens in Türkiye, urging them to leave as quickly as possible.El Al, Israel’s main airline, arranged two flights to bring Israelis back from Türkiye after Israel issued on Wednesday a travel warning for its citizens visiting Türkiye, local media reported.   Two Israeli flights left Istanbul and bounded for Tel Aviv on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, Türkiye’s Demiroren news agency said, showing pictures of Israelis departing from Istanbul’s airport.El Al said Wednesday it would operate special free flights for Israelis in Türkiye, adding that it would allow Israelis who traveled independently from Türkiye to Greece to fly from Athens to Israel for free.   Tens of thousands have joined protests across Türkiye since a Tuesday attack on a hospital in Gaza caused heavy casualties.   The attack on the hospital has prompted widespread protests in Middle Eastern countries.Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara/Istanbul, Türkiye.(XHTV)