ISTANBUL

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that the Turkish Red Crescent has stood by Palestinians in Gaza since the start of Israel’s assault on Oct. 7, 2023.

Speaking at the General Assembly of the Turkish Red Crescent in Ankara, Erdogan emphasized that the organization has never left Gaza’s people alone during this difficult period.

"The Red Crescent, our country's longest-established non-governmental organization, continues to be present wherever it is needed today,” Erdogan said.

Erdogan stated that the Turkish Red Crescent, in coordination with the country's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), has played a significant role in easing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by sending ships filled with food, hygiene items, shelter, medicine, and medical supplies.

"In addition to other aid, hot meals for 15,000 people are distributed daily in Gaza,” he added.

The president emphasized that they see the Turkish Red Crescent on the front lines not only within the country's borders but also in all crisis regions, stating that the Turkish Red Crescent has extended Türkiye's helping hand to people affected by war in Palestine, Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, and many other places.

More than 52,500 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza in a brutal Israeli onslaught since October 2023.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for 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.

The Turkish Red Crescent has launched its 2025 Eid al-Adha campaign to deliver sacrificial meat to over 4 million people in need across Türkiye, Gaza, Palestine and 22 countries.