Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed Ankara’s unwavering support for the Palestinian militant group Hamas during a speech in Istanbul on Saturday. Erdogan stated that Turkey firmly backs Hamas leaders and rejects any attempt to label them as a terrorist organization.
Amid the Gaza conflict, triggered by an October 7 attack by Hamas, Erdogan emerged as a vocal critic of Israel. The war has resulted in a significant loss of lives, with at least 1,160 casualties reported after the initial Hamas attack, according to official Israeli figures compiled by AFP. Israel responded with a relentless ground and air offensive, causing the death toll in the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza, run by Hamas, to rise to at least 30,878 people, predominantly women and children, as reported by the health ministry.
Erdogan’s condemnation of Israel has been unequivocal, labeling the country a “terrorist state” and accusing it of engaging in a “genocide” in Gaza. His stance reflects Turkey’s open dialogue with Hamas leaders, emphasizing the nation’s steadfast support for the group despite international concerns.
The Turkish president’s bold declaration comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the region, with divergent perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Erdogan’s strong backing of Hamas underscores Turkey’s position as a vocal advocate for the Palestinian cause, contributing to the ongoing discourse surrounding the complexities of the Middle East conflict.
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