Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has issued one of his strongest condemnations yet of the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, accusing “Israel” of committing genocide against the Palestinian people and describing the humanitarian disaster as worse than the Nazi concentration camps.

Erdogan’s remarks came during a joint press conference with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Ankara, where the two leaders met to discuss regional issues. However, the situation in Gaza dominated the agenda, with Erdogan issuing a call to the entire Islamic world to break its silence and act decisively.

“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic,” Erdogan said. “Innocent children are either dying from hunger or from bullets fired by the occupation forces. Gaza is facing a genocide committed in full view of the world.”

Erdogan accused “Israel” of using starvation as a weapon of war, pointing to the collapse of food, water, and medical supplies inside the besieged enclave.

“The use of hunger as a weapon is the clearest sign of Israel’s complete lack of humanity,” Erdogan declared. “This cruelty surpasses the brutality of Nazi camps. The world will one day judge those responsible for this genocide.”

The Turkish leader emphasized that Türkiye would continue to raise the Palestinian cause in all international forums, adding: “We will continue to do everything necessary. We call on all Muslim nations to raise their voices louder and to take concrete steps against Israeli barbarity. History will not forgive silence in the face of this massacre.”

Despite global outrage, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues to worsen, with famine spreading, water supplies destroyed, and disease rampant.

While humanitarian warnings intensify, reports suggest that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering annexing parts of the Gaza Strip if Hamas does not accept his proposed temporary ceasefire plan.

According to ABC News, citing Israeli political sources, annexation is “one of several options” under internal discussion.

Indirect ceasefire negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, resumed in Doha on July 6, but early rounds ended without any significant breakthrough. On July 24, both the U.S. and Israel withdrew their negotiators, accusing Hamas of showing “a lack of desire” to agree to the terms.

Palestinian officials, however, maintain that Hamas will not accept any ceasefire deal that does not include a permanent lifting of the siege, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and full humanitarian access to Gaza.

Erdogan’s speech was not just a denunciation of “Israel” but also a call to action for Muslim nations. He criticized the fragmented and weak response of the Islamic world to the Gaza genocide.

“We must stand together in the face of this oppression,” Erdogan said. “The silence of some Muslim countries is deeply painful. This is a test of dignity for the entire Islamic ummah.”

Erdogan’s remarks are part of a broader effort to rally diplomatic pressure and mobilize humanitarian and political support for Gaza, as Türkiye seeks to position itself as a leading defender of Palestinian rights on the world stage.

As Gaza suffers its 22nd month of bombardment, famine, and blockade, Erdogan’s words underscore a growing frustration among Muslim-majority nations over the failure of global diplomacy to stop the genocide.

With Netanyahu reportedly considering territorial annexation, and ceasefire talks stalled, the humanitarian and political crisis shows no sign of abating. Türkiye’s call for united Muslim action may mark the beginning of a new wave of diplomatic mobilization, but the question remains: will the Islamic world act before it is too late? (ILKHA)