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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that Türkiye will defend its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, Aegean and anywhere else, dismissing provocations from those "with the blood of over 70,000 Palestinians on their hands" as "no different from the rattling of tin cans."
"Whether in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean or anywhere else, we will neither usurp rights nor allow our rights to be usurped," Erdogan said at the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Expanded Provincial Chairmen's Meeting in Ankara on Wednesday.
"The impudence of those with the blood of over 70,000 Palestinian brothers and sisters on their hands is no different from the rattling of tin cans in our eyes, and it cannot be," he added.
The remarks come amid rising tensions following the Israel-Greece-Greek Cyprus summit in Tel Aviv, where the three countries discussed security cooperation and reportedly explored plans for a joint military force against Türkiye.
The Turkish president also emphasized that Türkiye will not be provoked, stating, "Agreements can be made, signatures can be put, various messages can be given through commissioned questions. None of these bind us. They do not change our policy."
"We did not fall for the game, we will not. We did not succumb to provocations, we will not. As Türkiye, we will continue to act with dignity, prudence, common sense and calm within the framework of international law and our bilateral agreements, befitting our historical experience and deep-rooted tradition," he added.
Erdogan underlined that Türkiye will not allow the rights and interests of Turkish Cypriots to be usurped.
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President Erdogan criticized Israel for failing to uphold the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, noting, "Even though a ceasefire has been established in Gaza since Oct. 11, problems continue in settlements that Israel has turned into rubble."
"According to the agreement, 600 trucks were supposed to enter Gaza daily. However, Israel does not keep its word even on such a humanitarian issue, constantly creating difficulties and obstacles to humanitarian aid entries with flimsy excuses," he added.
Erdogan noted that Türkiye's 19th humanitarian aid ship carrying 1,300 tons of supplies reached Egypt's Al-Arish Port last week, and that Türkiye has sent nearly 105,000 tons of aid to Gaza over the past two years.
"As Türkiye, we will not cower, we will not be silent, we will not forget, we will never leave Gaza alone," the Turkish president stated.
According to the Gaza media office, the Israeli army has committed 875 ceasefire violations in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 10, resulting in the death of over 400 Palestinians and injury of more than 1,100 others.
The Israeli army has killed nearly 71,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 171,100 others in attacks in Gaza since October 2023.
Erdogan offered condolences for the Libyan military delegation killed when their aircraft crashed near Ankara on late Tuesday.
"I extend my condolences to the brotherly Libyan people, the Libyan Armed Forces and their government on behalf of my country and my nation," he said, adding, "The necessary investigation has been initiated regarding this tragic incident that deeply saddened us. Information on its progress will be provided by the relevant ministries."
The crash killed Libyan Chief of Staff General Ali Muhammad al-Haddad, Land Forces Commander General al-Fitouri Gharibil, three delegation members, and three crew members.
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