Türkiye calls for immediate halt to Israeli ground offensive in Gaza

ANKARA

Türkiye condemns Israel's expanded ground operations in Gaza, calling for an immediate end to the attacks and the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said early Monday.

"At a time when negotiations are ongoing, Israel’s widening of its attacks in Gaza weakens all efforts to establish peace and stability," the ministry said in a written statement.

It added that this escalation "once again demonstrates that Israel has no intention of achieving a lasting peace."

Ankara reiterated its call for "an immediate ceasefire, the cessation of operations in various parts of Gaza, and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid."

It also urged the international community to take "effective and determined steps against Israel" in line with their legal and humanitarian obligations.

"Establishing regional peace and security requires the international community to act without delay," the ministry stressed.

The Israeli army announced that it had launched ground assaults in Gaza aimed at expanding and making the occupation permanent as part of a new offensive plan approved by the security cabinet on May 4.

The Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing more than 53,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.