Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has issued a powerful call to the international community, warning that the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza is a test of humanity’s moral conscience.

In an article published on Thursday in English and Arabic by Al Jazeera, Erdoğan condemned Israel’s continued bombardment of the Gaza Strip, describing the attacks as systematic and targeting civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.

According to Erdoğan, the relentless strikes have reduced entire neighborhoods to rubble, destroyed hospitals, schools, and places of worship, and left basic services such as food, water, healthcare, and electricity in collapse. He said that to date, more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed, a majority of them women and children, calling the situation “not merely a war, but a policy of annihilation and collective punishment.”

“The humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza must not be seen as a local conflict confined to a narrow strip of land,” Erdoğan wrote. “It is a profound crisis that wounds the collective conscience of humanity with every passing day. The silence or weak response of the international community only deepens the suffering of Palestinians and emboldens the perpetrators of this aggression.”

Erdoğan sharply criticized what he described as the West’s double standards in global crises, noting that the swift international attention to conflicts in other regions, such as Ukraine, has not been matched in Gaza. “Had the same level of sensitivity and decisive action been shown toward Gaza, the catastrophic situation we witness today could have been prevented,” he said.

The Turkish President outlined Türkiye’s active role in providing humanitarian assistance. Through the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), the Turkish Red Crescent, and civil society organizations, Türkiye has been delivering food, medicines, and medical supplies to Gaza despite logistical and security challenges. Wounded Palestinians have also been evacuated to Türkiye for treatment. Erdoğan emphasized that these relief efforts are not only a humanitarian necessity but a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

On the diplomatic front, Türkiye has been consistently advocating for a ceasefire at the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), while also facilitating mediation efforts between Palestinian factions. Erdoğan highlighted Türkiye’s close cooperation with Qatar in advancing humanitarian aid, ceasefire negotiations, and the planning of Gaza’s reconstruction.

“The violence in Gaza is not just a humanitarian crisis; it is a threat to regional stability,” Erdoğan warned. He cautioned that escalating tensions between Israel and Iran could lead to a wider regional conflict, destabilizing the Eastern Mediterranean and Gulf regions. The crisis, he added, also risks triggering new waves of displacement, increased radicalization, and disruptions to energy security, demonstrating that Gaza’s plight is both a moral and strategic concern for the world.

Erdoğan laid out a roadmap for addressing the crisis, calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the opening of humanitarian corridors, and the establishment of international mechanisms to protect civilians. He insisted that war crimes and violations of human rights be investigated by the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, and that perpetrators be held accountable under international law.

Highlighting the importance of long-term recovery, Erdoğan stressed that Gaza’s reconstruction must extend beyond rebuilding destroyed structures. It should include restoring access to education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic development, and political representation, with active participation of the local population under the oversight of the United Nations and regional organizations. He reiterated that the recognition of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine with its territorial integrity intact is the foundation for lasting peace, emphasizing that a two-state solution remains the only viable path toward regional stability.

Erdoğan also condemned attacks on journalists covering the conflict, highlighting the killings of reporters, including those from Al Jazeera, as “a brutal assault on press freedom and the right to information.” He described the deaths of courageous journalists as a profound loss for all humanity, stressing the importance of documenting and exposing the atrocities committed in Gaza.

“The cause of Palestine and Gaza transcends borders,” Erdoğan wrote. “It is a test for humanity. We must never forget the heavy price of turning a blind eye, as witnessed in Bosnia and Rwanda. Türkiye’s steadfast support for Gaza is both a moral and strategic imperative.”

He concluded with a stark warning to the international community: “History is bearing witness to those who acted and to those who looked away from the cruelty in Gaza. The international community must heed the voice of the global conscience and act. The future of humanity will be shaped by the courage of the steps we take today.”

With Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins, hospitals overwhelmed, and the population facing starvation and disease, Erdoğan’s article serves as both a moral appeal and a strategic call to action, urging global powers to intervene and prevent further atrocities. Türkiye, alongside Qatar and other partners, continues to push for immediate relief and long-term solutions, highlighting the urgent need for international solidarity in addressing one of the gravest humanitarian crises of the 21st century. (ILKHA)