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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that humanitarian conditions in Gaza are deteriorating rapidly and urged the international community to increase pressure on Israel to allow food, medicine, and other aid into the enclave.
Speaking to the reporters at the airplane during his return from his official visit to Italy, Erdogan noted that while cease-fire negotiations are ongoing, civilian suffering has reached unprecedented levels.
"Even if the fighting continues, civilians must not be deprived of basic needs," he said. "We are focusing our diplomatic efforts on securing humanitarian corridors."
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently met with Hamas officials in Doha, and Ankara continues to engage with multiple sides in the conflict.
Erdogan reiterated Türkiye's call for a lasting cease-fire and said Israel has not shown willingness to commit without external pressure.
Erdogan also criticized Palestinian political divisions and emphasized the need for unity among Palestinian factions in the face of collective hardship.
At this point, Israel has not adopted a permanent ceasefire as of today. Without pressure from the United States, Israel has no intention of guaranteeing a lasting ceasefire. It appears willing to accept a temporary ceasefire only in exchange for the release of hostages.
Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is holding intermittent talks with Western nations, the Palestinians, and the Israeli side regarding humanitarian aid. Previously, ceasefire and humanitarian assistance were two closely linked issues for us. But now, hunger and poverty have reached such a level that civilian casualties among Palestinians could be extremely high even outside the conflict zones.
Therefore, although we have not changed our method, we are currently emphasizing the opening of a corridor for humanitarian aid while underlining the need for a ceasefire.
Even if the parties continue their war, it is important that the civilian population not be held hostage and not be deprived of basic needs. This is what we are now telling the international community. Previously, there was a strong correlation between ceasefire and humanitarian assistance. Now, we have somewhat separated the two. Yet, even under these conditions, unless Israel faces additional pressure, there is no sign of de-escalation at this time.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
When it was asked by the reporters that is there access for aid? Are they able to deliver it? Erdogan answered by stating, "There was access to a certain extent, but it has recently been disrupted again."
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