Türkiye's first lady Emine Erdogan voices support for Palestinians

ISTANBUL

Türkiye's first lady Emine Erdogan expressed support Saturday for Palestinians amid the recent Hamas-Israeli conflict.

"We shouted out to the world as one voice from Istanbul to be the voice of Gaza's mothers, children, and all the innocent people's silent scream," Erdogan said as she shared a post of the Great Palestine Meeting, a pro-Palestine rally in Istanbul.

"We will only be able to speak of humanity, conscience, and mercy on the day when Israeli oppression stops, and we see children playing in safety in Gaza. On that day, our hearts and minds will also find peace. Until then, we will continue to stand by the Palestinian people,” she said.

Erdogan wished Allah's mercy on those who were killed and a speedy recovery to the injured.

Thousands joined the Great Palestine Meeting on Saturday.

People from different walks of life, carrying Turkish and Palestinian flags, gathered at the Ataturk Airport.

Some wore headbands with the inscription: "We are all Palestinians", "End the genocide, let the children live" and "Be the voice of Palestinian children."

Internationally renowned artist Yusuf Islam spoke at the rally.

Israel has heavily bombarded Gaza since Oct. 7 when the Palestinian group, Hamas, carried out a cross-border attack, killing 1,400 people, and taking hostages.

The Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip said Israeli strikes had now killed at least 7,703 people -- mainly civilians and many of them children.