Israel continues to undermine all efforts to end war: Turkish president

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that the war that began on Feb. 28 in the Middle East continues to claim lives despite diplomatic efforts, accusing Israel of undermining initiatives aimed at ending the conflict.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, President Erdogan said: "Israel’s government continues to undermine all efforts to end war."

He also said Israel “proves it feeds on tensions” by keeping Al-Aqsa Mosque closed to worshippers, pursuing the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners, expanding its presence in Lebanon, and repeatedly targeting neighboring Syria.

Risk of regional spillover grows

Erdogan said the conflict risks spreading further across the region as it enters its 38th day. Türkiye, he said, has intensified diplomatic engagements to stop the fighting and create room for negotiations.

“I on one hand and our Cabinet ministers on the other have accelerated diplomatic contacts,” Erdogan said, adding that Ankara is making sincere efforts to seize even the slightest opportunity to silence weapons and open a space for talks.

He stressed that Türkiye has, since the first day of the war, acted in line with its “brotherhood law,” maintaining a balanced stance by calling out both right and wrong regardless of the actor.

Erdogan warned that as the war drags on, the risk of the conflict spreading to other countries is growing, adding that Türkiye continues to carry the same concerns for regional stability.

Call for peace, international action

He reiterated that Türkiye stands on the side of justice, peace, and stability rather than conflict and oppression, saying Ankara cannot remain indifferent while civilians and civilian infrastructure are being targeted in a neighboring country.

Erdogan also emphasized that it has become more important than ever to raise the voice for peace globally, adding that Türkiye will continue to advocate for peace.

“Those who undermine peace today to prolong their political survival should not forget that one day they themselves will need peace, justice, and the law,” he said, citing historical examples.

He also warned against unchecked ambitions, referring to Adolf Hitler as an example of destructive leadership that caused suffering for both his own people and the world.

“The time has come for the international community to say ‘stop’ to this course,” Erdogan said, adding that Türkiye will continue to strive for peace for its people and all nations in the region.

‘Terror-free Türkiye’ process

Erdogan further stressed that recent developments in the region underline the importance of Türkiye’s “Terror-free Türkiye” process, launched to strengthen internal unity and solidarity.

"At a time when attempts are being made to build walls between Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and Persians, we can neutralize these plots with our vision of a terror-free Türkiye and a terror-free region," he said.

He added that the initiative has passed several critical thresholds over the past 17 months and gained strength through various tests, with broad political consensus emerging around the process.