ISTANBUL 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said Israel has failed to honor its commitments and deliberately obstructed humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, pledging that Türkiye would increase its support for Palestinians in the coming period.

“Israel is not keeping its word and is constantly creating difficulties and obstacles to the entry of humanitarian aid with fabricated excuses,” Erdogan said, addressing the Justice and Development (AK) Party’s extended provincial heads meeting in Ankara.

Erdogan said: “Even though a ceasefire has been established in Gaza since Oct. 11, hardships continue in residential areas that Israel has turned into rubble.”

He stressed that Türkiye would step up its assistance to Palestinians.

“During the blessed three months, we will increase our aid to Palestine. As Türkiye, we will not back down, we will not remain silent, we will not forget, and we will never leave Gaza alone,” Erdogan said.

Humanitarian crisis worsens as winter sets in

Erdogan said the suffering of Gaza’s population has deepened further with colder weather and the onset of rainfall.

He said images of tents submerged by heavy rain and babies and children suffering from hypothermia due to extreme cold were being watched with heartbreak across Türkiye.

“According to the agreement, 600 aid trucks were supposed to enter Gaza daily. However, Israel does not keep its word even on such a humanitarian issue,” Erdogan said.

Despite these obstacles, he added: “We are nevertheless trying to stand by our oppressed brothers and sisters in Gaza.”

Erdogan said the 19th Turkish aid ship, carrying 1,300 tons of humanitarian supplies, reached Egypt’s El-Arish Port last week, noting that the total amount of aid Türkiye has sent to Gaza over the past two years has approached 105,000 tons.

Highlighting urgent needs in Gaza, Erdogan said residents require medicine, food, clothing, and fuel for heating. “Above all, Gaza needs hope, solidarity, and moral support. That is why we will pray a great deal,” he said.

Türkiye’s broader humanitarian stance

Positioning Türkiye’s Gaza policy within a broader humanitarian framework, Erdogan said the country has consistently come to the aid of those in distress.

“From the Caucasus to the Balkans, from Africa to Asia, whoever has been in distress, we have rushed to their aid. This was the case yesterday, it is the case today, and it will never change tomorrow,” he said.

He emphasized that Türkiye supports peace, and will not tolerate injustice.

“Everyone should know that, as in the past, we are in favor of peace and calm today as well. But this does not mean that we consent to injustice or remain silent in the face of oppression. Never,” he said.

“Throughout our history, we have always been a land of refuge for the oppressed. Without looking at religion, language, or origin, we opened our doors to those who were crushed, humiliated, subjected to oppression and massacres,” Erdogan stressed.

“Whether in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean, or anywhere else, we neither infringe on anyone’s rights nor allow our own rights to be violated,” Erdogan said.

He also stressed that Türkiye would not allow the rights of Turkish Cypriots to be usurped, adding that agreements, signatures, or political messaging would not alter Ankara’s stance.

Turning to domestic security, Erdogan said Türkiye’s push for a “terror-free Türkiye” has begun to ease pessimism beyond its borders, adding that Arab, Kurdish, Turkmen, Sunni, and Shia communities are looking to the future with renewed hope.

“Türkiye has finally embarked on a path of peace, security, development, and prosperity," he said.

Concluding his remarks, Erdogan underlined the country's resolve: "As Türkiye, we will continue to act with dignity, wisdom, common sense and calm, in line with international law, our bilateral agreements, and our deep-rooted tradition.”