Esra Tekin
16 October 2023•Update: 16 October 2023
ISTANBUL
Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday discussed the latest situation in the Gaza Strip, as well as human rights violations during the deadly armed clashes between Israeli forces and Palestine group Hamas.
During a phone conversation with Mitsotakis, President Erdogan expressed Türkiye's commitment to continuing efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation, which has the potential to have negative regional and global consequences, the Turkish Presidency said in a statement.
Erdogan highlighted the significance of regional countries not only preserving peace but also proactively preventing conflicts and human rights violations, and conveying this message to the world, with a recommendation to promptly take measures to reduce, rather than exacerbate tensions, it added.
Ten days into the conflict with Palestinian group Hamas, Israeli bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued, with over 1 million people – almost half the total population of Gaza – having been displaced.
Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out, as civilians flee to the south following Israeli warning to evacuate northern areas.
The fighting began when Hamas on Oct. 7 initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.
The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has risen to 2,750, including 750 children.
In Israel, 1,300 have been killed.
