Erdogan pledges firm support for Hamas leaders

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed unwavering support for Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, stating during a speech in Istanbul that Turkey will not label Hamas as a terrorist organization. Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s open dialogue and strong support for Hamas leaders.

Erdogan’s stance comes amid sharp criticism of Israel following the outbreak of conflict in Gaza, which escalated after a Hamas-initiated attack in Israel on October 7, leading to significant casualties. In response, Israel launched intensive ground and aerial attacks on Gaza, which, according to Gaza’s health ministry, have resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 individuals, predominantly women and children, in the Palestinian territory. Erdogan has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, branding it a “terrorist state” and accusing it of committing genocide.