Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for immediate steps to create the conditions necessary for the reconstruction and security of Gaza, saying the Palestinian people have demonstrated a clear desire for peace and a strong determination to achieve it.

Erdoğan made the remarks during a joint press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas following their meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.

Erdoğan said Türkiye continues to advance the Palestinian cause in consultation with the Palestinian leadership and on the basis of a two-state solution.

He accused the Israeli government of continuing what he described as unlawful actions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, including occupation, forced displacement and settlement policies.

Citing UN data, Erdoğan said that 3,800 Palestinians had been displaced in 2026, while nearly 100 Palestinians had been killed in incidents involving settlement violence, demolitions and forced evacuations.

He described the developments as part of what he characterized as a systematic policy aimed at weakening the Palestinian administration and undermining the prospects for a sovereign Palestinian state.

Despite these pressures, Erdoğan said, the Palestinian people had continued to demonstrate resilience and determination.

Erdoğan also emphasized Türkiye’s opposition to attacks and provocations targeting Palestinian holy sites, particularly Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.

“We unequivocally oppose the provocations that are aimed at changing the status of the al-Aqsa Mosque, our first kiblah, and other sanctuaries,” Erdoğan said.

He also welcomed the prospect of Palestinian legislative and presidential elections, expressing hope that the process would strengthen Palestinian unity and contribute to advancing the peace process.

Erdoğan said Israel’s government was seeking to take advantage of regional instability and conflicts in an attempt to push the Palestinian issue off the international agenda.

He insisted that such efforts would not succeed.

“No matter what they do, they will not succeed in this,” Erdoğan said, adding that efforts to suppress the Palestinian cause would instead strengthen its support among people around the world.

Türkiye, he said, would continue advocating for Palestine on international platforms and work toward the establishment of an independent, sovereign and geographically contiguous Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Turning to the situation in Gaza, Erdoğan said the continuing crisis demonstrated the need for urgent international action.

He accused the Israeli administration of maintaining an uncompromising approach despite agreements and international efforts aimed at resolving the conflict.

According to Erdoğan, the positions taken by the parties have increasingly demonstrated who favors continued conflict and who seeks peace.

“The people of Gaza have clearly demonstrated that they are in favor of peace and have a strong will to achieve this,” Erdoğan said.

He stressed that the international community must act quickly to establish the conditions required for Gaza’s reconstruction and security, saying that the process should begin without further delay.

Erdoğan also reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and working diplomatically for a lasting political settlement based on Palestinian statehood, sovereignty and territorial integrity. (ILKHA)