ISTANBUL

Israel is seeking to completely sabotage the path to a two-state solution by taking advantage of the global community’s attention shifting away from Gaza, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday.

"Through its unlawful and expansionist policies since the declaration signed on Oct. 10, the Netanyahu administration has once again demonstrated that it does not seek peace and is not in favor of a solution," he said.

Addressing ambassadors in Ankara, Erdogan said that while humanitarian aid deliveries face difficulties, Israel continues to “terrorize the people of Gaza with systematic attacks.”

“While we are breaking our fast at this table of friendship and brotherhood, extremely grave events are taking place in our region and around the world. Despite the agreement signed in Gaza on Oct. 10, the humanitarian tragedy on the ground continues.

"While there are difficulties in the entry of humanitarian aid, Israel continues to terrorize the people of Gaza through systematic attacks. In just the last five months, more than 640 Gazans have been killed in Israeli attacks. Nearly 2,000 innocent people have been injured," he said.

The West Bank is also suffering from Israel’s policy of occupation and expansion, as reflected in last month’s land registration decision, Erdogan said, adding that since Oct. 7, 2023, more than 1,120 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 12,000 injured in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

He said that extrajudicial killings, occupation, demolitions and forced displacements continue to increase in the heavily pressured West Bank.

Erdogan reiterated that Türkiye stands with the Palestinian people, just as it did in the past, and stressed that the country will continue providing both material and moral support to the oppressed people of Gaza.

-'We will not accept Middle East being placed on operating table again'

On continued US-Israeli attacks on Iran, he underlined that Türkiye does not accept the Middle East being subjected again to intervention “just as it was a century ago, or being laid back on the operating table.”

He said that in the attacks, which have been ongoing since Feb. 28, nearly 1,500 Iranians have lost their lives, including more than 300 innocent children.

He said tensions escalated alongside Iranian missile and drone attacks and quickly reached a level threatening the stability of the entire region.

Erdogan underscored the importance of ending the war "as soon as possible" before it escalates throughout the region.

"In defiance of those who place the export of conflict, chaos, crisis and instability at the center of their foreign policies, we are determined to establish an atmosphere of peace and prosperity in this geography, to struggle for it, and to walk this path to the very end," he said.

Further adventurism will cost not just the warring parties, but the region and even the entire world, including Europe and Asia, Erdogan warned.

"An honorable solution" can be found for every problem that threatens regional stability and the future, he said, adding a new negotiation process is possible.

Erdogan warned that as the war drags on, the situation will inevitably worsen.

Türkiye’s foreign policy is not based solely on interests but also on values, he said, adding Ankara believes a just peace benefits everyone and produces no losers.

Touching on the Russia-Ukraine war, which is now entering its fifth year, he said it should end with a just and sustainable peace agreement.

-Necessary warnings were clearly conveyed to Iran

"Guided by the same understanding, we have clearly stated our position from the very first day. We have declared that the airstrikes violate Iran’s sovereignty, are contrary to international law, and are viewed by us with regret.

"At the same time, we have also openly expressed that we do not in any way approve of Iran’s attacks targeting brotherly countries, especially our dear Azerbaijan and the Gulf states, stating that such actions are wrong and will serve no purpose other than deepening shared suffering and sowing the seeds of hostility among brothers," he added.

He said ballistic elements heading toward Türkiye last week and again today were neutralized in time and that necessary warnings were clearly conveyed to Iran.

“During this process, we have made intense efforts to lower tensions, stop the bloodshed, and open the door to dialogue.

“We continue to maintain our principled stance that prioritizes diplomacy. No matter how discouraging the situation may seem, we are not hopeless. We believe that an honorable solution can be found for every problem threatening regional stability and the future of coming generations. A new negotiation process is possible. Indeed, it must be," he said.

He reiterated the urgency of ending the war before it spreads further across the region.

"We need the contributions, support and constructive roles of everyone—especially regional countries—in this effort. This is why we place great emphasis on the principle of regional ownership in solving problems," he added.