Turkey has expressed growing concern over a recent Israeli airstrike on a Hamas meeting in Qatar, fearing it could be targeted next, officials said.

Rear Adm. Zeki Akturk, a spokesman for the Turkish Defense Ministry, warned on Thursday that Israel could “expand its reckless attacks” and drag the entire region, including Turkey, into crisis. The strike in Qatar comes amid already strained ties between Ankara and Tel Aviv over the ongoing Gaza war and competition for influence in Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a longstanding supporter of the Palestinian cause, has repeatedly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of genocide and likening him to Adolf Hitler. Hamas officials regularly visit Turkey, and some have taken residence there, prompting past Israeli accusations of Turkey allowing attacks to be planned from its territory.

Experts said the Qatar attack highlighted Israel’s ability to strike across borders with relative impunity, raising concerns in Ankara. “Israel’s actions resonate with Turkish anxieties that such operations could eventually extend to Turkish territory,” said Serhat Suha Cubukcuoglu, director of Trends Research and Advisory’s Turkey program.

Turkey, a NATO member, maintains significant military strength and has recently boosted its defenses, including inaugurating the “Steel Dome” air defense system and fast-tracking the KAAN fifth-generation fighter program. Analysts said Ankara may also use the situation to solidify its role as a defender of Palestinian causes.

Tensions could extend to Syria, where both countries support opposing factions. While Turkey pursues a mix of military deterrence and diplomacy, experts warned that Israel’s cross-border operations signal there is “no limit to what the Israeli government can do,” underscoring Ankara’s ongoing security concerns.