Erdoğan: Israel doing everything possible to prevent Gaza aid, reconstruction

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has accused Israel of doing everything possible to prevent the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and to hinder the territory’s reconstruction.

Speaking at the opening of the 41st session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (İSEDAK) in Istanbul, Erdoğan said more than 200 civilians had been killed since the ceasefire agreement was signed, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

“We are dealing with a government that continues its occupation and attacks on the West Bank,” he said, emphasising that Hamas has shown firm commitment to upholding the ceasefire.

Erdoğan also criticised Israel’s international standing over the issue. “We all see how poor Israel’s reputation is in this matter,” he said.

The Turkish president further warned against any changes to the status of Jerusalem and threats to Islamic holy sites.

“We cannot allow annexation of the West Bank, alterations to the status of Jerusalem, or attempts to harm the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” he added.

Israeli air raids have struck Khan Younis in southern Gaza, further escalating tensions in the region. Since the ceasefire was agreed, the death toll in the besieged enclave has risen to 236. Meanwhile, violence continues in the occupied West Bank, where two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed in attacks by Israeli forces and settlers.

In a separate development, Hamas handed over the bodies of three more captives following a “complex search operation” in Gaza City, marking another step in the ongoing exchanges and negotiations amid the conflict.

The humanitarian toll of the war remains staggering. Since October 2023, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have killed at least 68,858 people and wounded 170,664. The initial Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in 1,139 deaths and left around 200 people taken captive, underscoring the profound human cost on both sides.

By Aghakazim Guliyev