Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday strongly condemned Israel for deliberately obstructing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, accusing the occupation authorities of violating their commitments and deepening the suffering of the Palestinian people despite a declared ceasefire.

Speaking at the Justice and Development (AK) Party’s extended provincial heads meeting in Ankara, Erdoğan said Israel continues to weaponize humanitarian access by blocking aid convoys under false pretexts.

“Israel is not keeping its word and is constantly creating difficulties and obstacles to the entry of humanitarian aid with fabricated excuses,” Erdoğan said, denouncing what he described as systematic efforts to starve and collectively punish Gaza’s civilian population.

He stressed that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has not eased, even though a ceasefire has technically been in place since October 11, as Israel has reduced entire residential neighborhoods to ruins.

“Despite the ceasefire, the suffering continues in residential areas that Israel has turned into rubble,” Erdoğan said, pointing to the devastating impact of Israel’s attacks on civilians, infrastructure, and basic living conditions.

Reaffirming Türkiye’s principled stance, Erdoğan announced that Ankara would intensify its support for the Palestinian people, particularly during the holy three months.

“During the blessed three months, we will increase our aid to Palestine. As Türkiye, we will not back down, we will not remain silent, we will not forget, and we will never abandon Gaza,” he declared.

Positioning Türkiye’s Palestine policy within a broader moral and humanitarian responsibility, Erdoğan said Ankara has always stood with oppressed peoples, regardless of geography.

“From the Caucasus to the Balkans, from Africa to Asia, wherever there is oppression and suffering, we have stood on the side of the victims. This has always been our position, and it will never change,” he said.

While emphasizing Türkiye’s commitment to peace, Erdoğan made clear that peace cannot be separated from justice.

“We are in favor of peace and calm, but this never means accepting injustice or remaining silent in the face of oppression. We will never legitimize oppression,” he said, underlining Türkiye’s rejection of Israel’s policies of occupation, blockade, and collective punishment.

Erdoğan also reiterated Türkiye’s determination to defend its rights and principles in regional affairs, stressing that Ankara neither violates others’ rights nor allows its own to be violated.

Addressing domestic developments, Erdoğan said Türkiye’s efforts toward a “terror-free Türkiye” are fostering renewed hope across communities, noting that Arab, Kurdish, Turkmen, Sunni, and Shiite peoples alike are looking to the future with optimism.

“Türkiye has embarked on a path of peace, security, development, and prosperity, and God willing, it will continue on this path with patience and determination,” he said.

Erdoğan’s remarks come amid growing international criticism of Israel’s continued restrictions on aid to Gaza, as humanitarian agencies warn that millions of Palestinians face acute shortages of food, medicine, shelter, and fuel under the ongoing blockade. (ILKHA)