Erdogan: The Security of Israel cannot be achieved by slaughtering children and women

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Israel on Friday to stop its attacks on Gaza, which he described as amounting to genocide, and urged the international community to work to reach a humanitarian ceasefire in the region.

Türkiye supports the Palestinians and the two-state solution to end the decades-long conflict, and hosts members of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

It has offered to mediate the conflict and sent humanitarian aid to Gaza, but is stuck in Egypt due to the closure of the border.

It initially condemned the killing of civilians and called for restraint as part of its effort to repair relations with Israel after years of hostility.

It then hardened its position on Israel as the fighting intensified and the humanitarian crisis worsened in Gaza.

Erdogan continued that Israel is provoking non-regional parties instead of reversing its mistakes in Gaza, adding that the region needs to be saved from the spree of madness supported by Western powers and media.

He said that Ankara is working to end the fighting between Israelis and Palestinians before it reaches the point of no return.

Erdogan continued, “It’s clear that security cannot be achieved by slaughtering children, women, and civilians, and bombing hospitals, schools, mosques, and churches… Brutality doesn’t bring prosperity”.

The Turkish presidency said that Erdogan spoke by phone with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi later on Friday to discuss the conflict and human rights violations committed by Israel against civilians.

Erdogan’s office said that he told Sisi that the brutality towards the Palestinian territories is increasing, and that the silence of Western countries regarding the bombing of hospitals, schools, and places of worship increases the fire in Gaza.

The Turkish people organized anti-Israel demonstrations across the country this week after the explosion that killed large numbers of Palestinians in a Gaza hospital.

Israeli diplomats, including the ambassador, left Türkiye after Israel issued a security warning.

Ankara also engaged in talks with Hamas to release civilians captured by Hamas.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was reported to have said this week that despite the efforts made, there was nothing concrete yet in this regard.