Turkish disaster response team awaiting Israeli authorisation to enter Gaza

A team of Turkish disaster response specialists is stationed at the Egyptian border, awaiting Israeli authorisation to enter Gaza and help in search and recovery operations of bodies trapped under the rubble, a Turkish official told AFP on Friday. 

The 81-member team from Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority is equipped with specialised search-and-rescue tools, including life-detection devices and trained search dogs.

"It remains unclear when Israel will allow the Turkish team to enter Gaza," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. 

"Initially, Israel preferred to work with a Qatari team, but we are hopeful that our delegation will be granted access soon."

The Turkish official noted that the team's mission includes locating both Palestinian and Israeli bodies, including captives believed to be buried or hidden in collapsed structures.