Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled his planned trip to the Sharm el-Sheikh summit after a dramatic intervention by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to Israel Hayom.

The Israeli website reports that Erdogan phoned Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi mid-flight, warning that his plane "would not land if Netanyahu attended."

Erdogan's message was clear; either Netanyahu withdraws, or the Turkish leader's aircraft returns to Ankara. Within minutes of consultations between US, Israeli, and Egyptian officials, Netanyahu canceled his participation. Erdogan's plane then landed safely in Egypt.

Netanyahu's office had claimed that the Israeli prime minister, who is wanted by the ICC over war crimes in Gaza, canceled his trip due to Jewish holiday timing or the religious parties. However, diplomatic sources confirmed to Israel Hayom that the real reason was Erdogan's direct threat and regional pressure.

"There was no discussion with the religious parties about the cancellation," one Israeli official admitted. "The decision came after Turkey's warning reached both Washington and Cairo."

Sharm el-Sheikh meeting, proposed by US President Donald Trump, was meant to advance his regional plan to expand the normalization deals and include new cooperation on energy and trade.

But a regional diplomat told Israel Hayom that "some countries are still not ready for Trump's fast-track diplomacy," suggesting that Erdogan's move reflected broader Arab hesitation toward normalization with Israel while the Gaza genocide continues.

"The diplomatic spontaneity of President Trump didn't sit well with some regional leaders," the source said.

Comment: Associated Press adds:

Erdogan did not comment publicly over Turkey's role in preventing Netanyahu's attendance.

In a speech on Tuesday, Erdogan hailed the declaration signed in Egypt as a significant step toward halting what he described as "genocide" in Gaza. Erdogan has repeatedly accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza — an allegation Israel strongly denies.

Netenyahu's presence would have been an insult to those who, whether half-heartedly or sincerely, are trying to find a solution for the relief of Palestinians, whose suffering is squarely at the feet of the Israeli prime minister and his rabid cabinet.