The ‘strongest response to Israel and the trail to victory lie in unity and integrity’, Turkish president says.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Palestinians to unite amid Israel’s battle in Gaza, following hours-long talks with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul, in line with his workplace.
Ankara has repeatedly slammed Israel’s incursion into Gaza amid its failed makes an attempt to cease the battle, which has roiled the Center East since October 7 final yr.
Tensions within the area are working excessive as Gaza braces for a brand new Israeli offensive on the southernmost metropolis of Rafah and after a reported Israeli assault on Iran on Friday.
“It’s critical that Palestinians act with unity on this course of. The strongest response to Israel and the trail to victory lie in unity and integrity,” Erdogan mentioned on Saturday after the talks on the Dolmabahce Palace, in line with a Turkish presidency assertion.
As hovering tensions between Iran and Israel stoke fears of a wider regional battle, Erdogan mentioned current occasions mustn’t enable Israel to “acquire floor and that it is very important act in a manner that retains consideration on Gaza”.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan obtained Head of Hamas Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, in Istanbul.
The assembly addressed the problems about Israel’s assaults on Palestinian territory, particularly Gaza, what must be performed to make sure ample and uninterrupted supply of… pic.twitter.com/6km5Hgtzn3
— Republic of Türkiye Directorate of Communications (@Communications) April 20, 2024
Hamas has had an workplace in Turkey since 2011, when Turkey helped safe the settlement for the group to free Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Erdogan has maintained hyperlinks with Haniyeh, the group’s political chief, who has been a frequent customer.
“Even when solely I, Tayyip Erdogan, stay, I’ll proceed so long as God offers me my life, to defend the Palestinian wrestle and to be the voice of the oppressed Palestinian folks,” the president had mentioned on Wednesday when he introduced Haniyeh’s go to.
Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from Istanbul, mentioned protecting the disaster in Gaza on the worldwide agenda was a high precedence for Turkey.
“Erdogan asserted that the strain between Iran and Israel mustn’t overshadow what’s going on in Gaza,” she mentioned. “That’s the reason the Turkish aspect will proceed its diplomatic efforts to maintain the matter alive within the eyes of the worldwide group.”
Turkish, Egyptian FMs meet
Individually on Saturday, Turkish International Minister Hakan Fidan held talks with visiting Egyptian International Minister Sameh Shoukry, with each males emphasising the necessity to ship extra humanitarian support to devastated Gaza, the place the specter of famine looms.
“We demand that the six Israeli crossings with Gaza be opened to humanitarian support,” mentioned Shoukry, including that the failure to take action violates worldwide regulation.
The 2 ministers additionally urged Iran and Israel to train restraint after unprecedented direct assaults on one another’s territory raised fears of a regional battle.
Turkey is one in all Gaza’s predominant humanitarian support companions, sending 45,000 tonnes of provides and medication to the area.
Israel has mentioned it’s making ready an offensive in opposition to the town of Rafah, the place some 1.2 million Palestinians are taking shelter after fleeing the battle in different components of the enclave.
The current reported Israeli assault on the Iranian province of Isfahan, following Iran’s direct assault on Israel, has solely clouded hopes of a peace breakthrough in Gaza.
Greater than 34,000 folks have been killed and over 76,900 wounded in Israeli assaults on Gaza since October.
The loss of life toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 assaults stands at 1,139, with dozens of captives held in Gaza.
Fighters additionally took about 250 hostages. Israel estimates 129 stay in Gaza, together with 34 who’re presumed lifeless.
