Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued a warning to Israel about a potential ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. This comes as Israeli diplomats in Turkey were evacuated due to ongoing protests against Israel. Erdogan took to social media platform Twitter to reiterate his call for the Israeli government to cease its attacks on civilians, which he described as amounting to genocide. The warning comes as reports suggest that Israel is preparing for a ground offensive in Gaza.
Amid the protests in Turkey, Israel’s ambassador and other diplomats left the country, with the Jewish state also pulling out its diplomats from Jordan, Morocco, and Bahrain due to security concerns. Thousands of people in Turkey have taken to the streets in various provinces to show their solidarity with Palestinians. The protests have seen large crowds outside Israeli diplomatic missions, and some demonstrators left children’s clothes and toys outside the Israeli Embassy in Ankara as a symbol of support for the Palestinian children killed in the conflict.
The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has taken a toll, with more than 4,000 Palestinians and at least 1,400 Israelis losing their lives. The recent blast at Gaza’s al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, which claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians, has further escalated tensions and sparked mass protests not only in Turkey but also in other Muslim-majority countries in the region.
Prominent figures in Turkey have strongly condemned Israel. Ali Erbas, the head of Turkey’s state-run religious affairs directorate, led prayers at Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, accusing the world of turning a blind eye to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Selcuk Bayraktar, the chairman of BaykarTech, a renowned drone manufacturer, accused Israel of resorting to genocide. These statements reflect the prevailing sentiment among many Turks.
The recent escalation in Gaza comes at a time when Turkey and Israel had been trying to mend their strained relations. Last fall, the two countries appointed ambassadors to each other’s capitals and were working towards reconciliation. However, the ongoing violence has likely strained this rapprochement, especially considering Turkey’s ties with the political wing of Hamas, a group recognized by Turkey but deemed a terrorist organization by other countries.
Despite the warming relations with Israel, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently admitted to initiating talks with Hamas for the release of over 200 hostages, focusing on third-country nationals and civilians. This move suggests that Turkey continues to maintain open channels with the group, which may raise concerns among other countries, especially in light of the recent attack by Hamas on Israel.
While Erdogan has been relatively restrained in his response to the Gaza conflict compared to previous instances of violence, his rhetoric has gradually intensified. This raises questions about the effectiveness of Turkey’s policy of exerting a moderating influence on Hamas, as Erdogan has previously claimed. Some experts argue that this policy has failed in light of the recent events.
As tensions persist in the region, it remains to be seen how Turkey’s relationship with Israel will evolve. The ongoing protests and strong condemnation of Israel by Turkish officials highlight the deep-rooted support for the Palestinian cause among many in the country. It is clear that the conflict in Gaza has further complicated the delicate balance of regional dynamics, with potentially far-reaching consequences.
