Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded that Israel face substantial consequences for its actions to prevent similar cruelty in the future.

Speaking to reporters on his return from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Erdogan emphasized that the severity of the punishment should act as a deterrent against anyone contemplating such actions again.

Erdogan's comments came in response to an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ affirmed Palestinians' right to self-determination and called for the evacuation of Israeli settlements in occupied territories. Erdogan expressed hope that this and previous unimplemented decisions by Israel would prompt a global awakening.

The Turkish leader urged the United States to exert pressure on Israel by withdrawing its support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates, whom he labeled as "murderers." Erdogan stressed that uniting those who advocate for justice and supporting the ICJ’s decision is crucial to challenging Israel’s actions.

The ICJ's ruling, delivered on Friday, called on Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories "as rapidly as possible" and to make full reparations for its "internationally wrongful acts," including breaches of international law that amounted to apartheid.

Since the onset of Israel's intensified military campaign on October 7, over 38,900 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed in Gaza, with more than 89,600 others injured, according to local health authorities. (ILKHA)