In his most assertive comments to date regarding the ongoing Gaza conflict, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared on Wednesday that the Palestinian militant group Hamas should not be labeled a terrorist organization but should be seen as a liberation group fighting to protect Palestinian territories.
As a member of NATO, Turkey expressed its condemnation of the civilian casualties resulting from Hamas's actions during the October 7 incident in southern Israel. However, Erdogan urged Israeli forces to exercise restraint in their response. The Turkish government has been a vocal critic of Israel's bombardment of Gaza.
"Hamas is not a terrorist organization; it is a liberation group, 'mujahideen,' waging a battle to protect its lands and people,"
President Erdogan told lawmakers from his ruling AK Party, using an Arabic term that denotes individuals who fight for their faith.
Unlike many of its NATO allies and the European Union, Turkey does not categorize Hamas as a terrorist organization and hosts members of the group on its territory. Turkey advocates for a two-state solution to the longstanding Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Erdogan also criticized Western powers for supporting Israel's military actions in Gaza, emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian aid access to Gaza, and collaboration among Muslim nations to end the violence.
"The perpetrators of the massacre and the destruction taking place in Gaza are those providing unlimited support for Israel," Erdogan asserted. "Israel's attacks on Gaza, both by itself and with the support of others, equate to murder and mental illness."
President Erdogan's comments have further fueled the ongoing international debate surrounding the Gaza conflict and the characterization of Hamas, which remains a divisive and highly contested issue in the global political landscape.
The conflict in Gaza continues, with international efforts ongoing to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.