ANKARA, Turkiye: Turkiye has firmly rejected Israel’s allegations that Ankara is arming and funding Hamas, calling these claims “lies” and a diversion from the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
This response followed accusations by Israeli Foreign Minister Katz, who alleged that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was supplying arms and money to Hamas, and that Israeli security forces had dismantled terrorist cells linked to Hamas operating from Turkiye.
In a statement, Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry criticized Katz’s assertions as attempts to deflect attention from Israel’s military actions against Palestinians.
The ministry accused Israel of using false propaganda to obscure the reality of its conduct in Gaza, which has led to significant civilian casualties. According to Hamas-run health sources, the Israeli offensive has resulted in the deaths of at least 38,983 people, the majority being women and children.
President Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military strategy, especially following a Hamas assault on October 7. Erdogan has repeatedly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him the “butcher of Gaza” and accusing him of trying to incite a broader regional conflict.
Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry called for an end to what it views as efforts by Netanyahu’s government to provoke a regional war to maintain power, advocating for accountability in international courts. It reaffirmed Turkiye’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people’s quest for justice and peace.
