'Israel will be held accountable,' Erdogan tells Hamas leader Haniyeh in Istanbul

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday in Istanbul in a meeting that showcased once more the active role that Türkiye has been seeking to ensure peace in the Middle-East.

Important issues on the agenda

According to Turkish officials, discussions during the meeting included Israel's ongoing attacks on Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza, strategies to ensure the consistent and unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to the region, and matters pertaining to fostering a fair and enduring peace process in the area.

President Erdogan reiterated Türkiye's commitment to diplomatic endeavors aimed at highlighting the plight of Palestinians to the global community. He underscored the imperative of ceasing the ongoing atrocities and urgently implementing a lasting ceasefire.

Independent state of Palestine is a must

President Erdogan emphasized that Israel will eventually be held accountable for the oppression it has inflicted upon the Palestinians. He reiterated Türkiye's commitment to shedding light on the atrocities perpetrated against Gaza on every platform available. Furthermore, he underscored the importance of establishing an independent Palestinian State as a crucial step towards regional peace and stability.

Highlighting the significance of Palestinian unity, President Erdogan stressed that solidarity among Palestinians is key to delivering the strongest response to Israel and achieving victory. He emphasized the necessity of accurately conveying the just cause of Palestine and countering Israel's misinformation campaigns to the international community.

Regarding humanitarian efforts, President Erdogan stated that Türkiye continues to provide aid to Palestine to alleviate suffering, with over 45,000 tons of aid already delivered to the region. He also mentioned the implementation of various sanctions against Israel, including trade restrictions, as a response to its actions.

Addressing tensions between Israel and Iran, President Erdogan urged that these tensions should not divert attention from Gaza. He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on Gaza to prevent the international community from overlooking Israel's attacks.

In the meeting, President Erdogan extended his heartfelt condolences to Haniyeh for the loss of his children and grandchildren in the Israeli attack.

Source: Newsroom