以色列土耳其邦交正常化

Israel and Turkey have reached a deal to normalize ties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday after meeting in Rome with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, "I think it's an important step here to normalize relations."

Ties between the two countries broke down in 2010 over Israel's interception of a Turkish aid ship bound for Gaza which was under a blockade because of the Hamas militant group's leadership there.

A senior Israeli official said that as part of the restoration of normalized ties, Israel has apologized for its lethal raid on the ship and agreed to pay $20 million to the bereaved and injured. Also under the deal, the two countries will restore their ambassadors.

A senior Turkish official said the agreement also provides for Turkey to deliver humanitarian aid and other non-military products to Gaza and engage in infrastructure projects, including the construction of residential buildings and the completion of a hospital.