Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged for heightened international pressure on Israel to facilitate the entry of more humanitarian aid into Gaza, pledging increased support from Ankara during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Turkey has been vocal in condemning Israel’s military actions in Gaza, advocating for Israeli leaders to face trial for genocide at the World Court. Erdogan reiterated calls for a ceasefire while emphasizing Turkey’s efforts in sending over 40,000 tons of humanitarian aid through Egypt.
Addressing foreign ambassadors at a Ramadan fast-breaking dinner in Ankara, Erdogan criticized Western nations for their support of Israel, accusing them of enabling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “savage attacks” on Gaza through their indecisiveness.
Erdogan denounced the Israeli leadership as “murdering, cruel, criminal, lying, and fascist,” asserting that calls for calm were futile as long as backing for Israel persisted. He stressed the urgency of increasing aid to Gaza, particularly through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
Last week, Turkey’s Kizilay (Red Crescent) sent its largest aid shipment yet to Gaza, delivering 3,000 tons of food, medicine, and equipment.
Erdogan affirmed that Turkey’s humanitarian assistance to Gazans would continue to grow during Ramadan, facilitated by state institutions, organizations, and other channels.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu announced Israel’s intention to continue its military operations in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip.
Israel maintains that it is allowing aid to flow into Gaza through two crossings at the territory’s southern border. However, aid agencies argue that this is insufficient to meet the needs of the population, especially in the northern part of Gaza, which remains effectively isolated.
The ongoing situation underscores the complex dynamics surrounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the pressing need for international action to alleviate suffering in the region.
