Erdogan Condemns Assassination of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued a strong condemnation following the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The assassination, attributed to Israel, has been described by Erdogan as a “treacherous” act.
“This assassination is a despicable act aimed at undermining the Palestinian cause, the glorious resistance of Gaza, and the just struggle of our Palestinian brothers, intending to demoralize and intimidate them,” Erdogan stated on Wednesday.
Erdogan drew parallels between this assassination and previous attacks on prominent Palestinian leaders, including Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdulaziz El Rantisi. “The purpose of this assassination is the same as the previous heinous attacks on Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Abdulaziz El Rantisi, and many other political figures from Gaza; however, Zionist barbarism will once again fail to achieve its goals as it has in the past,” he asserted.
The Turkish President called for a united response from the Islamic world and the international community against what he termed “Israeli terrorism.” He emphasized the need for a collective stance to bring an end to the oppression in Gaza and to achieve peace in the region.
“With the stronger stance of the Islamic world and the unity of humanity, the oppression and genocide in Gaza and the terror Israel is spreading in our region will surely come to an end, and our region and the world will find peace,” Erdogan said. “For this purpose, Türkiye will continue to explore all avenues, exert all efforts, and support our Palestinian brothers with all our means and strength. We will continue to work for the establishment of a free, sovereign, and independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders.”
In a heartfelt message, Erdogan expressed his condolences: “I pray for mercy from God for my martyred brother Ismail Haniyeh, patience for his family, and offer condolences to our brothers in Gaza, Palestine, and the Islamic world. May God grant him the honor of paradise and His divine beauty.”
Fahrettin Altun, the Turkish Communications Director, also condemned the assassination. In a statement on social media platform X, Altun extended his condolences to Haniyeh’s family and the people of Palestine. “I pray for mercy from Allah on the martyr Ismail Haniyeh and my condolences to his family, the people of Gaza, Palestine, and the Islamic world,” he said.
President Erdogan and other top Turkish officials have had several meetings with Ismail Haniyeh since Israeli attacks against Palestinians intensified last October.
