Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday he welcomed the decision by militant group Hamas to accept a ceasefire in Gaza, which he said was made in line with Ankara's suggestion, adding he hopes Israel would do the same.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Reuters/Thaier Al-Sudani
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday he welcomed the decision by militant group Hamas to accept a ceasefire in Gaza, which he said was made in line with Ankara's suggestion, adding he hopes Israel would do the same.
Turkey has denounced Israel's assault on Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire, halted all trade with Israel, and announced its decision to join South Africa's application for Israel to be tried for genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Erdogan called on Western countries to increase pressure on Israel's leadership to accept the ceasefire. Ankara has repeatedly complained of what it calls the unconditional support given to Israel by the West, particularly the United States.
"We welcome the statement by Hamas that they accepted the ceasefire with our suggestion. Now, Israel must take the same step," he said.
Shortly after, Erdogan said on social media platform X that he had spoken by phone to Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh to discuss the militant group's decision on the ceasefire and the ongoing efforts to end the fighting in Gaza.
"During the call, in which I stated that I found it positive for Hamas to take such a decision with Turkey's suggestion, we emphasised that Israel must take a step for a lasting ceasefire too," Erdogan said on X.
Erdogan hosted Haniyeh and a delegation from Hamas, which he has called a "liberation movement", in Istanbul last month.
Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkey aimed to have its own "Steel Dome" multi-layered air defence system soon, adding that Ankara would also increase its long-range missile capabilities.
Qatar will work with U.S. President Joe Biden's administration "until the last minute" before the Presidential election to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal, the Qatari foreign ministry said on Tuesday.
The United States warned Iran at the United Nations Security Council on Monday of "severe consequences" if it undertakes any further aggressive acts against Israel or U.S. personnel in the Middle East.
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