Turkish President And NATO Secretary General Discuss The Latest Situation Of Gaza

President Receo Tayyip Erdogan. (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkey)

JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the current situation in Gaza by telephone, Turkish Communications Directorate dalanm X said on Saturday.

They also exchanged views on what needs to be done to prevent human rights abuses in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the continuation of humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza civilians.

Erdogan emphasized that the attitude of Western countries has expanded human rights violations in Gaza and stressed that those countries in stopping Israel will create acute consequences.

He stated that the opinions of the Western people and the global action to end the humanitarian tragedy that occurred in sight had been ignored.

Meanwhile, via X, Jens Stoltenberg admitted to discussing terrorism and the situation in the Middle East with Erdogan.

"We agree that terrorism must be fought and civilians must be protected. I welcome the emergency assistance that has now reached Gaza," he said as quoted by Antara, Sunday.

He revealed the two leaders also discussed Sweden's entry into NATO.

The conflict in Gaza, which has been bombarded and blockaded since October 7, began when Palestinian resistance group Hamas launched the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation, which was a surprise attack in the form of a series of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

Hamas argued the attack was retaliation for the attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the growing violence of Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched the Iron Sword Operation targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

At least 4,385 Palestinians, including 1,756 children, were killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, while the number of casualties in Israel reached more than 1,400 people.

On Saturday, a humanitarian convoy of 20 trucks entered the Gaza Strip from the Egyptian side of the Rafah border. This is the first time this has happened since the Israeli and Hamas conflicts erupted on October 7.