Image Credits - Anadolu Ajansı
Türkiye has intensified its criticism of Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, with strong statements from ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson Ömer Çelik. Speaking after a central executive committee meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Çelik called for the prosecution of what he described as the “gang of murderers” within Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. He accused Israel of deliberately undermining cease-fire efforts aimed at resolving the long-standing Palestine-Israel conflict.
Çelik highlighted that France, Germany, and the United Kingdom had urged Israel on Monday to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, but these calls were ignored by the Israeli government. He also criticized Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, comparing his behaviour to that of a Nazi minister, and accused Israeli officials of competing to reach new lows in moral conduct.
The conflict in Gaza has reached catastrophic proportions, with Israel’s ongoing military campaign resulting in the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, most of them women and children, according to reports. Despite a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has continued its offensive, drawing widespread international condemnation.
Ankara has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s actions, with President Erdoğan frequently exchanging harsh words with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Turkey’s opposition to the Israeli military campaign has been further demonstrated by its recent move to join a legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Started by South Africa, the case aims to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza. Turkey’s declaration, submitted last week, outlines the reasons for joining the case, citing Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip and aligning with previous ICJ precedents regarding the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with ongoing hostilities and limited access to humanitarian aid. As the conflict persists, international efforts to broker peace have so far been unsuccessful, and the region faces a growing humanitarian crisis.