Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Iranian counterpart Ibrahim Raisi that Ankara is ready to take on the role of guarantor for the settlement of the crisis between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the Turkish presidency announced on Thursday.
Erdogan and Raisi met on the sidelines of the Economic Cooperation Organization summit in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.
It is noted that Iran has an important role in the conflict in the Middle East. Although it is not directly involved in the war between Israel and Hamas, it supports, finances and influences the terrorist organization, as well as other armed organizations active in the Gaza Strip and in the wider region. He also leads the “Axis of Resistance”, an anti-Israel coalition, while often warning of “new fronts” in the war if Israel continues its war effort in the Palestinian enclave.
Earlier Erdogan said at the summit: “We are faced with a fanaticism that even legitimizes the killing of children.”
The Turkish president said nearly 11,000 civilians had been killed in the “relentless” Israeli attacks, comments that signaled a further hardening of his tone. Stressing that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is still continuing its military campaign, Erdogan added: “The Israeli administration continues to bombard schools, mosques, churches, hospitals and universities, violating all values of humanity.”
“If we as Muslims don’t raise our voices today, when will we?” he asked, adding that Turkey has an important role in aid efforts and has sent 10 aircraft carrying more than 230 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza via Egypt. .
Erdogan also accused Western governments, specifically naming that of the United States, of failing to “even criticize the killing of children or call for a ceasefire” in Gaza.
Tags: Turkey ready assume role guarantor resolution crisis Gaza
