Israel's Katz slams Erdogan as 'paper sultan', accuses him of backing Hamas

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz launched a personal attack on Turkish President Erdogan on X, calling him a 'paper sultan' and accusing him of financing and embracing Hamas while dreaming of restoring the Ottoman Empire. This escalates rhetoric between Israel and Turkey, which have had strained relations since the Gaza conflict. The exchange is largely symbolic but signals continued diplomatic friction and potential for further regional polarization.