Turkey will keep diplomatic channels open regarding the Gaza issue, as stated by Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Turkish president made these statements during his return flight from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where he participated in the Gaza summit. Speaking to journalists, he mentioned that both he and the President of the United States wish to continue their phone contacts on the matter, while warning Israel that if it proceeds with acts of genocide again, the price will be high.
Read: Erdogan on Gaza: Israel’s poor ceasefire record – Turkey and US will enforce agreement
However, Erdogan avoided giving a clear answer to whether there would be participation of Turkish troops in the international force expected to be deployed in Gaza. “Evaluations regarding the structure of the task force are ongoing at this moment. There are many critical issues that need to be addressed in Gaza. Both reconstruction and rehabilitation issues are important. Regarding construction matters, we examined who can take on a role with us,” he noted characteristically.
At the same time, the Turkish president referred to the reconstruction of the region. “We discussed what we can do together in the bilateral talks we held with the leaders. Our first impressions are not bad. They also say they will take on their responsibilities. We hope the promises will be kept. Our Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, MIT chief Ibrahim Kalin, and other colleagues will meet with their counterparts. And I will be in contact with the leaders. We will discuss the issue. Right now there are tents there. These people cannot live continuously in tents. I told my colleagues to send the containers we have available to the region,” he said.
Erdogan: Israel has a bad criminal record regarding ceasefire violations
Turkey’s president repeated his criticism of Israel, accusing it of acts of genocide and warning that it knows it will pay a heavy price if it repeats them. At the same time, he emphasized that Turkey, in cooperation with the United States and other countries, is determined to closely monitor ceasefire compliance.
“As you know, Israel has a bad criminal record regarding ceasefire violations. This forces us to be more careful and more meticulous. Turkey, the US and other countries are determined to protect the ceasefire. Israel also knows that if it returns to genocide, the price will be heavy. We state this clearly at every opportunity. Many agreements that have been concluded in the past remained on paper. This was contributed to, unfortunately, by Israel’s ambiguous stance, but also by the lack of sufficient determination. Now there is a stronger and common will. This common stance was expressed once again at the Summit in Egypt. I believe that Mr. Trump will continue to support this process, in which he has taken a leading role. These developments have now become the hope and wish not only for us, but also for the countries and peoples with whom we journey together,” stated Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In the continuation of his conversation with journalists, the Turkish president referred to his relationship with Donald Trump and mentioned that the American president asked him to maintain their communication regarding the Gaza process and not to neglect “this telephone diplomacy.” “We will continue our conversations at all levels. The diplomacy we have developed with Mr. Trump is very important. We hope to continue with the same sensitivity and do whatever is necessary to create a climate of peace. All the countries that gathered in Egypt will be the guarantors of this climate of peace,” Erdogan noted.
What Erdogan declared about developments in Syria
Finally, regarding developments in Syria and the Turkish position on integrating the Kurdish-controlled Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syria’s army and Damascus’s central government, Erdogan stated that “there is no way we will leave Syria’s president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and his friends alone.”
“We often warn the SDF not to follow wrong paths and to support Syria’s unity and integrity. We hope they will adopt a stance that will lead Syria to a future of unity and prosperity. The fastest possible integration of the SDF into Syria will accelerate the country’s development efforts. We appreciate the fact that Syria’s government is moving toward the future with an approach that includes all ethnic and religious elements of the country. This is in the interest of both Syria and Turkey. Those who try to lead Syria into new conflicts do not wish well for Kurds, Druze, or Alawites. […] Those who turn their gaze toward Ankara and Damascus will win, while those who seek other supporters will lose,” concluded Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
