Israel's new ambassador to Turkey arrives in Ankara

Israel's new ambassador to Turkey, Eitan Na'eh, arrived in Ankara on Thursday as part of reciprocal steps towards normalizing diplomatic ties between the once strong Mediterranean allies following a breakdown in 2010.

Israel and Turkey said in June they would normalize relations - a rapprochement driven by the prospect of lucrative Mediterranean gas deals as well as mutual fears over security risks in the Middle East.

Israeli-Turkish relations broke down in 2010 when 10 Turkish pro-Palestinian activists were killed by Israeli commandos enforcing a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The soldiers had raided a ship, the Mavi Marmara, leading a flotilla to the Hamas Islamist-run Palestinian territory.

Israel has agreed to pay compensation to the families of those killed on the vessel, a crucial element in the restoration of ties.

Ambassador Na'eh will present his credentials to President Tayyip Erdogan next week, Turkey's state-run Anadolu agency said.

Turkey's new ambassador to Israel, Kemal Okem, is also expected to take up his new post next week, the agency said.