Erdogan Urges Global Action to Prevent Gaza’s ‘Total Humanitarian Collapse’
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the international community to act urgently to end the war in Gaza, warning that the territory is on the brink of “total humanitarian collapse” amid ongoing Israeli attacks. His remarks came in an opinion article published Thursday by Al Jazeera in English and Arabic.
Türkiye’s Head of Communications, Burhanettin Duran, announced the article’s release on the Turkish social media platform Next Sosyal.
In the article, titled “The conscience of humanity is being tested in Gaza”, Erdogan accused Israel of carrying out “a systematic policy of annihilation” against Palestinians. “Hunger, thirst, and the threat of epidemic disease are propelling Gaza towards a total humanitarian collapse. To date, more than 61,000 Palestinians — the majority of them women and children — have been killed in Israeli attacks,” he wrote.
Erdogan said Ankara continues to advocate for a ceasefire at the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation while engaging in mediation between Palestinian groups. He criticised what he described as Western “double standards,” noting that rapid mobilisation in response to other global crises has not been matched in Gaza, thereby enabling Israel to act “without the slightest sanction.”
Outlining Türkiye’s humanitarian and diplomatic efforts, Erdogan cited aid deliveries, medical evacuations, and mediation initiatives carried out, often in coordination with Qatar. Reiterating his remarks at last month’s NATO summit, he stressed that “Gaza has no time to lose” and described Israel’s actions as “genocide.”
The Turkish president further warned that the conflict threatens to destabilise the wider region by exacerbating tensions between Israel and Iran, fuelling displacement and radicalisation, and endangering energy security. He called for an immediate ceasefire, the opening of humanitarian corridors, and the creation of international mechanisms to protect civilians.
Erdogan also emphasised that rebuilding Gaza must guarantee rights to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and political representation, adding that sustainable peace depends on recognition of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state. “History is bearing witness to those who took action and to those who turned away from the cruelty in Gaza. The future of humanity will be shaped by the courage of the steps we take today,” he said.
Highlighting the dangers faced by journalists in the conflict zone, Erdogan condemned what he described as a targeted assault on truth. “The losses suffered by Al Jazeera, in particular, rank among the most brutal assaults on press freedom and the right to information,” he wrote, paying tribute to the “courageous individuals” who lost their lives while reporting, and affirming that their memory would remain a symbol of the pursuit of justice.
