Dr. Hüseyin Durmaz, president of the International Health Initiative, said the Al-Aqsa Flood operation became a historic turning point that exposed the realities of the Palestinian issue and awakened the conscience of people around the world.

Speaking to ILKHA on the third anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, Durmaz evaluated the impact of the developments in Gaza on the Palestinian cause, the transformation in global public opinion, the international system and the future of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Durmaz said the steadfastness of the people of Gaza revealed the reality of the situation in Palestine and caused people in different parts of the world to question the narratives they had previously been presented with.

"October 7 changed global perceptions"

Durmaz stated that before October 7, 2023, the Palestinian cause had been gradually pushed out of the international agenda while normalization efforts with the Israel regime were increasing.

"Before October 7, there was an atmosphere of indifference across the world. The Palestinian cause was being forgotten, while agreements such as the Abraham Accords were moving the region toward normalization with the Israel regime. The occupation and oppression continued, but the events after October 7 revealed that the world had been exposed to a distorted narrative and that the real suffering belonged to the Palestinian people," Durmaz said.

He emphasized that October 7 created an awakening, particularly among Western societies.

"Western societies began to realize that they had been seriously influenced by the narratives presented by their governments. A process of awakening began. October 7 became a milestone that forced people to reconsider what they had been told," he stated.

"The Palestinian issue returned to the center of the world agenda"

Durmaz said Al-Aqsa Flood brought the Palestinian issue back to the center of global attention and made previously ignored developments more visible.

"The Palestinian cause returned to the world's agenda. The increasing occupation policies targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque and the process of turning the West Bank into another Gaza became clearer. We also saw which countries truly supported Palestine and that peoples showed stronger solidarity than many governments," he said.

Pointing to political changes in Western countries, Durmaz noted that public pressure had begun affecting the attitudes of political leaders.

"Immediately after October 7, many European leaders competed to appear alongside Netanyahu. Today, many of them avoid being seen with him because they fear the reaction of their societies. This shows how much the global atmosphere has changed," he stated.

"Gaza's resistance overturned regional plans"

Durmaz said the determination of the Palestinian people prevented attempts to marginalize the Palestinian cause and create a new regional reality.

"The Abraham Accords aimed to normalize relations between the Arab world and the Israel regime and reduce the Palestinian issue to a limited area without real sovereignty. However, the determined resistance of the Palestinian people overturned these plans," he said.

He also stated that the events in Gaza revealed the weaknesses of international institutions.

"International law and global institutions that claimed to defend justice lost credibility because they failed to protect the oppressed when they needed them most. The world saw that these mechanisms often operate according to the interests of the powerful," Durmaz expressed.

Durmaz stressed that Gaza demonstrated the importance of determination and faith despite limited resources.

"One of the lessons of Al-Aqsa Flood is that even a small community can influence the world if it refuses to accept occupation. Gaza showed humanity a model of patience and determination despite extremely difficult conditions," he said.

"Nothing will be the same after October 7"

Evaluating the long-term consequences of Al-Aqsa Flood, Durmaz said the operation created a permanent change in global perceptions.

"The world will be divided into before and after October 7. The operation changed the way people view international politics, exposed the gap between words and actions, and showed the strength of public movements around the world," Durmaz said.

He emphasized that the people of Gaza had awakened the conscience of millions of people worldwide.

"The people of Gaza awakened the conscience of those who still seek justice. They showed that the narratives presented to the world were not the full truth and brought together people from different religions, nations and cultures in support of Palestine," he added.

"We must continue to awaken global conscience"

Durmaz stated that the liberation of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque requires Muslims to strengthen unity and continue efforts based on justice.

"Muslims must remember their responsibilities, move forward with faith and good morals, and avoid divisions that weaken their efforts. We must represent Islam correctly and continue to awaken the conscience of the world," he said.

Calling for continued public pressure on governments, Durmaz said concrete steps must be taken regarding Palestine.

"People everywhere should continue urging their governments to take concrete measures against the Israel regime. If these efforts continue, a new period based on justice can begin," he concluded.(ILKHA)