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n light of the escalating conflict in Gaza, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Wednesday, October 25, that he has canceled his planned visit to Israel. The revelation came during the Justice and Development (AK) Party’s parliamentary group meeting in the Turkish capital.
Before the outbreak of the conflict on October 7, President Erdoğan had scheduled a trip to Israel. However, given the recent turn of events, he decided against it. Emphasizing Turkey’s stance, Erdogan clarified that Ankara cannot condone the atrocities committed in Tel Aviv.
The Gaza Strip has been experiencing intense Israeli bombardment since the onset of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Initiated by Hamas, this surprise multi-faceted attack involved a slew of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by various means – land, sea, and air. The operation is said to be a retaliatory act against the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the escalating violence from Israeli settlers.
The Israeli military initiated a rigorous air campaign targeting the Gaza Strip. The repercussions of this extended conflict are grave, with death reported to be around 7,200, including at least 5,791 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.
President Erdoğan called for an immediate ceasefire between Israeli and Palestinian forces. He further emphasized the collaborative role Muslim countries need to adopt for lasting peace in the region. Reiterating his disapproval of the “inhumane” war tactics used against Palestinians in Gaza, Erdoğan said, “We had a plan to go to Israel, but it was canceled, we will not go.”
During his speech, Erdoğan presented his perspective on Hamas, calling them liberators fighting for their land. Advocating for peace, Erdoğan stressed the cessation of missile attacks from both sides and underscored the urgency of providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian territories.
The humanitarian crisis in the region is intensifying. Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are facing severe shortages, including food, water, medicines, and fuel. Despite aid convoys being sent to the beleaguered region, the supplies are merely a fraction of the actual requirements.
Drawing attention to past peace talks that failed to yield tangible results, the Turkish President pitched the idea of a new round of Palestine-Israel peace conferences. He asserted that the unity among Palestinians is pivotal for the success of such diplomatic endeavors.
Source: Anadolu, Daily Sabah, Arab News
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