President Erdogan Calls For International Pressure On Israel To Increase Aid To Gaza

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

JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for increased international pressure on Israel, to ensure more humanitarian aid was allowed into the Gaza Strip, ensuring Ankara's support would increase during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Speaking at Ramadan's dinner with foreign ambassadors in Ankara, President Erdogan criticized Western countries for supporting Israel, saying they had given Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the opportunity to carry out a "barbaric attack" on the Palestinian enclave because of his hesitant attitude.

"No matter what Israeli leaders are doing, they cannot hide the fact that they are (governments) who like to kill, be cruel, criminal, lie and fascist," President Erdogan said, adding that the insulation of all parties to exercise restraint was meaningless, as support for Israel continued. continued, reported Reuters March 13.

"We all know very well that during the attack on Gaza and the siege continues, the amount of aid alone will not be enough. The most urgent need is to increase the number of trucks passing through the Rafah gate. Of course there needs to be pressure on Israel for this," he added, referring to the Egyptian border with Gaza.

President Erdogan said humanitarian support for Gazans would continue as long as Ramadan starts this week, through state institutions, associations, and other channels.

Turkey, which strongly criticizes Israel for its military offensive in Gaza and supports measures to try Israel's leadership over genocide at the International Court, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire, and delivered more than 40,000 tons of humanitarian aid through Egypt.

Last week, Turkey's Kizilay (Red Crescent) sent its largest aid shipments to Gaza, sending a ship carrying about 3,000 tons of food, medicine, and equipment.

Israel itself said it was not to blame for hunger in Gaza, because it allowed aid through two crossings on the southern edge of the region.

However, aid agencies said the amount was not enough to distribute sufficient supplies, particularly to the north of the enclave which was effectively cut off from other regions.