Istanbul, Turkey – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday strongly condemned Israel for violating the Gaza ceasefire, describing the justifications as “made-up,” Anadolu reports.
Speaking at the Science Dissemination Awards ceremony in Istanbul, Erdogan emphasized that the Palestinian group Hamas continues to maintain patience to uphold the truce despite provocations.
Erdogan criticized international media for underreporting the deaths of journalists in Gaza, noting that over 270 journalists have lost their lives. He also highlighted the heavy toll on students, teachers, scientists, and academics, with over 13,500 students, 830 education staff, and 193 scientists killed by Israeli forces since October 2023.
“More than 785,000 students have been deprived of their right to education… what is happening is a deliberate, intentional, and planned policy of mass killing,” he said.
The Turkish president underlined Ankara’s ongoing efforts to raise these issues globally, including discussions at the recent G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks in Gaza have resulted in nearly 70,000 deaths, mostly women and children, and over 170,000 injuries, according to Erdogan.
In a post on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, Erdogan marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, observed annually on November 29. He extended greetings to Palestinians and stressed that Türkiye is actively providing humanitarian aid as winter approaches, while striving to maintain the ceasefire.
Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to a two-state solution, advocating for a free, sovereign, and independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The International Day of Solidarity, established by the UN in 1977, highlights Palestinian aspirations for peace, justice, and self-determination, reflecting decades-long efforts to resolve the conflict following UN General Assembly Resolution 181, which proposed the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.
