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Türkiye on early Monday strongly condemned Israel's launch of a new large-scale ground offensive in Gaza, dubbed “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” and called for an immediate halt to the attacks.
In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said: “At a time when negotiations are ongoing, Israel's expansion of its attacks in Gaza undermines all attempts to achieve peace and stability. This situation has once again demonstrated that Israel has no intention of achieving a lasting peace.”
“We reiterate our call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in different parts of Gaza, allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza and an immediate cease-fire,” the statement continued.
“We call on the international community to act in line with its legal and humanitarian obligations,” it added, stressing the urgency for “effective and decisive steps against Israel” to ensure regional peace and security.
The Israeli army announced earlier it had begun “extensive ground operations” across northern and southern Gaza as part of a new offensive plan approved by the Israeli security cabinet on May 4.
“A comprehensive ground operation has started in the north and south of the Gaza Strip within the scope of the plan called ‘Gideon’s Chariots,’” the Israeli army said in a statement.
The statement confirmed that the army struck 670 targets this week, including areas housing civilians such as schools, hospitals, and tents sheltering displaced Palestinians.
Despite ongoing indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Doha, reports indicate no progress toward a cease-fire.
According to Palestinian health authorities, at least 130 people were killed in overnight Israeli strikes, including dozens of children, marking a grim escalation in the already devastating conflict.
Since the Gaza war gained a new level of intensity in the aftermath of October 2023, more than 53,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed by Israel, according to health authorities, while Israel's initial death toll from the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, stands at approximately 1,200 people.
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