ISTANBUL

Türkiye condemned on Friday in the strongest terms Israel’s decision to expand its military operations in Gaza, describing it as a new phase in Tel Aviv’s "expansionist and genocidal policy" in the region.

"Every move by the fundamentalist Netanyahu government aimed at perpetuating genocide against the Palestinian people and extending the occupation deals a severe blow to international peace and security, exacerbates regional instability and further deepens the humanitarian crisis," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry stressed that "lasting peace" in the region can only be achieved through respect for "international law," prioritization of "diplomacy," and "protection of fundamental human rights."

It urged Israel to immediately halt its "war plans," accept "a ceasefire in Gaza," and resume "negotiations towards a two-state solution."

Calling Israel’s move an attempt "to render Gaza uninhabitable and forcibly displace" Palestinians from their land, the ministry appealed to the "international community to fulfill its responsibilities."

"We urge the UN Security Council to adopt binding measures to halt Israel’s actions in violation of international law and humanitarian values," the statement read.

Call to the world

Meanwhile, Turkish parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmus said "this bloody plan of the genocidal and war criminal Israeli government is unacceptable, and the world must not remain silent."

"We strongly condemn and reject this treacherous plan," he said.

Kurtulmus described the "bloody plan" to seize control of all of Gaza — endorsed by the so-called Security Cabinet of what he called the Zionist terrorist state — as a grim move that blatantly violates both "international law and humanity."

He called on "international institutions and communities to stand up against Israel's bloody occupation plan and to stand with Gaza."

"Defending Gaza and Palestine today means defending the law, morality, and the common future of humanity," he said.

Communications Director Burhanettin Duran also condemned Israel’s decision to occupy Gaza, warning it would further deepen human rights violations and humanitarian crises.

Duran said on X that Israel’s plans and attacks target "all of humanity, peace, and stability."

"Considering the intensified heavy bombardment of civilians, the destruction of infrastructure, and the obstruction of basic humanitarian needs, what Israel is doing in Gaza is a clear act of genocide. There can be no justification for occupation, oppression, and taking the lives of innocent people," Duran said.

He stressed that "the conscience of humanity cannot be silenced," urging the international community to "stand firmly against such unilateral moves and to work actively toward a fair resolution."

"This is our call to the world," he said, not to stay silent, but to "speak out for humanity" and "speak out for justice."

"The conscience of the world has the power to stop and defeat Israel. As our president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has emphatically underlined, ‘Everyone may remain silent. Everyone may stand by idly. But we will not be silent, we cannot be silent, and rest assured, we will not remain silent.’"