Hundreds of people in the city of Ağrı gathered for a rally after Friday prayers to protest the U.S.-supported attempt to displace Palestinians from Gaza.

The event, organized by the Ağrı Jerusalem Platform, was marked by chants of solidarity with Palestinians and criticism of the United States and Israel.

The platform's spokesperson, Orhan Tatlı, delivered a strongly worded statement accusing Israel of continuous violations of human rights and international law in Gaza, despite a recent ceasefire agreement. He highlighted the scale of destruction and loss of life in the region, describing it as an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

Tatlı outlined the dire situation in Gaza, stating: “The occupying Israel, which has committed great atrocities in Palestine for decades, increased its attacks even more in the process after 7 October. The apartheid regime has carried out inhumane attacks in Palestine for 15 months. Over 61,000 Palestinians, including more than 14,000 buried under rubble, have been martyred in these attacks.”

Tatlı accused Israel of targeting civilians indiscriminately, bombing mosques, hospitals, schools, and residential areas, and using internationally banned weapons. He claimed that even those displaying white flags were shot by Israeli forces.

The protest also targeted U.S. policy in the Middle East, with Tatlı criticizing former President Donald Trump’s alleged support for Israeli aggression. He claimed that proposals to "buy Gaza" and place it under U.S. authority were attempts to redesign the Middle East in collaboration with Israel.

Tatlı firmly rejected these plans, stating: “Plans are being made to expel the Palestinians, who have been protecting their land against the oppression of Israel for decades, from their own land, Gaza. We call out to the owners of this unrealisable dream and say that Gaza is for the Palestinians today as it was yesterday and will be for the Palestinians tomorrow! Support for the apartheid regime must be terminated.”

The rally concluded with calls for international solidarity and an end to support for the Israeli occupation. Protesters emphasized their commitment to standing with Palestine, calling on the global community to take decisive action to end what Tatlı described as "an unprecedented cruelty in the history of humanity."

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, protests like the one in Ağrı reflect growing international outrage against the ongoing occupation and the policies enabling it. (ILKHA)