Turkey Pledges To Ramp Up Diplomatic Efforts To Address Israel-Palestine Conflict

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara will ramp up diplomatic efforts to address the Israel-Palestine conflict and achieve calm amid the chaotic situation.

Erdogan's remarks on Sunday also noted that a two-state solution was the only way to achieve regional peace. The situation comes as Turkey, which has supported Palestinians in the past, recently hosted members of the Islamist group Hamas, responsible for launching the attack on Israel.

Turkey on Israel-Palestine Conflict

The Turkish president made his remarks in Istanbul and repeated a call for both sides to avoid steps that would only exacerbate the chaos. He added that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was at the root of all problems in the Middle East.

Erdogan said, "So long as this problem is not resolved in a fair way, our region will continue to live in longing for peace." He added that lasting regional peace is only possible with a final solution to the Palestinian-Israeli issue. He said that in that regard, preserving the two-state solution perspective is crucial, as per Reuters.

The Turkish president said that forming an independent Palestinian state, in line with the borders set out in 1967, with its territorial integrity act, and with Jerusalem as its capital, was not even more of a necessity that can no longer be delayed.

He noted that as justice is continuously delayed, the price paid by Palestinians, Israelis, and the region continues to rise. The conflict comes as Ankara has been working to repair relations with Israel following years of anger over the status of Jerusalem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Since the start of the conflict on Saturday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called his Egyptian, Iranian, Jordanian, Palestinian, Qatari, Saudi, Spanish, and US counterparts to discuss the pressing issue.

Erdogan said that Turkey always stands "in solidarity without Palestinian brothers" and has emphasized that any steps that will escalate tensions in the region, cause more bloodshed, and deepen the issue should be avoided, according to CNN.

Addressing the Conflict

The chaos has resulted in Israeli troops killing hundreds of Hamas fighters, wounding thousands, and capturing scores of others. Israeli Defense Force spokesperson Read Adm. Daniel Hagari said the initial Israeli counterattack started at around 3:45 a.m. local time on Sunday.

Israeli forces are said to have destroyed roughly 800 targets, including launchpads used by Hamas, with 50 planes attacking 120 targets in Beit Hanoun and destroying all Hamas gathering points in the region.

The Turkish foreign minister also said that Ankara is always willing to provide any assistance to ensure that the developments in the conflict do not escalate further and go out of control. It noted that it would be continuing intensive contact with the relevant parties.

Turkey and Israel relations soured in 2018 when they mutually expelled ambassadors and have frequently traded on the Israeli-Palestine conflict. However, a regional charm offensive that Ankara launched in 2020 prompted a thaw and subsequently led to the re-appointment of envoys, said Inquirer.