The Information and Communication Technologies Authority, which regulates the internet, announced the block early Friday but did not provide a reason. Sabah newspaper, which is close to the government, said access was blocked in response to Instagram removing posts by Turkish users that expressed condolences over the killling of Hama political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

It came days after Fahrettin Altun, the presidential communications director and aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, criticized the Meta-owned platform for preventing users in Turkey from posting messages of condolences for Haniyeh.

Turkey is observing a day of mourning for Haniyeh on Friday, during which flags will be flown at half-staff.

Many users of Facebook and Instagram, in Egypt and around the world, slammed parent company META for placing restrictions and removing posts mourning the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, noting this was a continuation of these platforms anti-Palestinian biases since the start of the Israeli genocidal war against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip 10 months ago.

Users have expressed dismay over Facebook's deletion of their posts grieving Haniyeh's death.

On Thursday, Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim accused Meta of cowardice after his Facebook post on the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was removed.

“Let this serve as a clear and unequivocal message to Meta: Cease this display of cowardice,” Anwar posts on his Facebook page.