Months after a plea from civil society, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced plans to ship surplus temporary housing containers to Gaza, marking a significant step in solidarity with the besieged enclave.

Erdoğan has declared that Türkiye will send containers to Gaza to provide shelter for Palestinians displaced by ongoing Israeli aggression. This announcement comes as a direct response to a long-standing call from the solidarity group, Hope Caravan Foundation.

The initiative began following the anniversary of the devastating Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, where Hope Caravan officials, witnessing a surplus of containers made redundant by new permanent housing, urged the government to repurpose them for Gaza. At the time, their call during a brief ceasefire period went unanswered, but has now been embraced at the highest level.

"Right now, there are tents in Gaza. Obviously, these people cannot live in tents forever," President Erdoğan stated. "I told my colleagues, 'If necessary, let’s send our available containers to the region.'... AFAD will bear a great responsibility in this effort."

This statement is seen as a major victory for grassroots pressure and a reaffirmation of Türkiye's support for the Palestinian cause.

The containers are expected to offer a critical upgrade from tents, especially with winter approaching, providing Gazans with more dignified and secure temporary shelter. The entire Gaza Strip has suffered catastrophic destruction from months of relentless Israeli bombardment, leaving over a million people homeless.

Cengiz Kurtaran

Speaking to ILKHA, Cengiz Kurtaran, President of Hope Caravan Foundation (Umut Kervanı Vakfı), expressed satisfaction with the decision but emphasized the scale of the need. "The people of Gaza are in dire need of assistance in every aspect," he said, calling for a full-scale mobilization by both the government and the Turkish nation to rebuild Gaza.

Kurtaran also issued a stark warning about the fragility of the current truce, placing blame squarely on Israel. "Hamas is making serious efforts to turn this truce into a permanent ceasefire. Yet the Israeli regime is looking for excuses to break it," he asserted.

He reminded the public of a previous ceasefire that was shattered by Israel, stating: "In January last year, another ceasefire was signed, but on March 3, 2025, the Israeli occupation regime broke it and launched major attacks on Gaza."

Emphasizing that aid must not be delayed, Kurtaran detailed the next steps. "We expect this new ceasefire to last longer. We are calling for our brothers and sisters to be settled into the containers first, and then for reconstruction efforts in Gaza to begin."

Launching a nationwide appeal, he concluded: "We are launching a nationwide call for mobilization and reaffirm our commitment to stand by them and continue healing their wounds. We call on all our people to support this cause."

The shipment of containers symbolizes a tangible act of resistance against the Israeli blockade and destruction, representing hope and a promise that the people of Gaza have not been forgotten. (ILKHA)