In an article published on Al Jazeera English on Thursday, President Erdogan explained that "the Gaza Strip should not be viewed as merely a conflict confined to a narrow strip of land; rather, it should be considered a worsening humanitarian catastrophe that wounds the collective conscience of humanity with every passing day."
Erdogan added: "The ongoing Israeli bombing, which has been ongoing for months, has targeted women, children, and the elderly, rendering cities uninhabitable. Homes, hospitals, schools, and places of worship have been destroyed, and basic services such as food, water, healthcare, and electricity have collapsed."
The Turkish president continued in the article: "Hunger, thirst, and the threat of epidemics are pushing Gaza toward a total humanitarian collapse. So far, more than 61,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed in Israeli attacks. This picture is not just a sign of war, but a stark testimony to a systematic policy of genocide."
Faced with this horrific scene, President Erdoğan emphasized that "the world's silence or weak responses only exacerbate the suffering and pave the way for continued oppression." He noted that "the West's double standards—which are quick to act in other crises while adopting a hesitant stance toward Gaza—undermine the credibility of an international system supposedly based on principles and rules."
The Turkish president noted, "Had the same swift and comprehensive sensitivity shown in the Ukraine crisis been shown in the face of the atrocities in Gaza, the scene today would have been entirely different. Israel's ability to act with impunity has accelerated the erosion of international law and human rights standards. The Gaza crisis presents us with a crucial test of whether the international community is willing and able to defend basic human values."
President Erdoğan explained that from the beginning, Turkey has demonstrated a firm, steadfast, and principled stance to end the worsening atrocities and humanitarian disasters in Gaza. He continued: “Our Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), the Turkish Red Crescent, and Turkish civil society organizations are actively working on the ground. Despite all obstacles, food, medicine, and medical supplies are being delivered to the region with the support of neighboring brotherly countries. The wounded are being evacuated from Gaza and treated in Turkey. These relief efforts not only meet urgent needs, but also announce to the world that the people of Gaza are not alone.”
On the diplomatic front, President Erdoğan noted that Türkiye continues its calls for a ceasefire within the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and continues its mediation efforts between Palestinian factions.
In the article, the Turkish president referred to the NATO summit held in The Hague on June 25, stressing that the fragile truce must be transformed into a lasting peace, warning that "Gaza has no time to lose."
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He continued, "I have publicly described Israel's attacks and policy of collective punishment—in blatant disregard for international law—as genocide. We are working closely, particularly with Qatar, to ensure humanitarian access, ceasefire negotiations, and reconstruction." He added, "We appreciate Qatar's leadership in facilitating humanitarian assistance and promoting diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the massacre."
The Turkish president emphasized that the violence in Gaza threatens not only the Palestinian people, but the stability of the entire region. He added, "Tensions between Israel and Iran increase the risk of a wider conflict that could destabilize the security balance from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Gulf. The deepening crisis poses serious threats in the form of new waves of displacement, increased extremism, and risks to energy security. Therefore, the Gaza issue is not only a humanitarian crisis, but also a matter of strategic importance for global security and peace."
President Erdoğan emphasized that the path to a solution is clear: an immediate ceasefire must be declared, and all attacks must cease unconditionally. Humanitarian corridors must be opened to ensure the unimpeded delivery of food, water, and medical aid, and international mechanisms must be established to protect civilians.
He pointed out that Turkey is ready to play an active role in this process, stressing that "war crimes and human rights violations must be referred to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, and perpetrators must be held accountable before the law. Sustainable resources must also be secured for relief organizations—especially the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)—which are being stifled by Israeli pressure."
Regarding the issue of Gaza's reconstruction, the Turkish president stated that the reconstruction of Gaza should not be limited to rebuilding destroyed buildings; rather, it "must into a comprehensive process that guarantees the rights to education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic development, and political representation. This process should take place with the direct participation of the population and under the supervision of the United Nations and regional organizations."
He continued: "The basis for lasting peace lies in recognizing an independent and sovereign State of Palestine while preserving its territorial integrity. The two-state solution is the only key to peace and stability in the region."
The Turkish president concluded the article by saying, "History bears witness to who acted and who turned away from the brutality in Gaza. Gaza has no time to lose; the international community must heed the voice of the global conscience and act. The future of humanity will be shaped by the courageous steps we take today."
