Muhammed Enes Calli
October 20, 2023•Update: October 21, 2023
ISTANBUL
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday said Türkiye is in contact with all sides involved in the ongoing crisis in Gaza, and efforts are underway to facilitate cease-fire, delivery of humanitarian aid, and a possible hostage exchange.
Speaking to public broadcaster TRT in an exclusive interview, Fidan said Türkiye is working for peace, but warned that unless immediate steps are taken for a lasting peace, “a permanent war and instability awaits” the region.
"From the beginning, Türkiye considered it a strategic mistake that Israel would only make peace with its own neighbors and not accept a two-state solution with the Palestinians," Fidan said.
He said the Abraham Accords on Arab-Israeli normalization may seem like progress, but "the pressure and oppression towards the Palestinians, who are the stakeholders in this issue, have become more systematic and frequent."
Stressing a humanitarian tragedy is currently taking place in Gaza, Fidan said Israel is seeking revenge for its losses from the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7.
He added that Israel's failure to pay attention to civilian population in its attacks, and its choice for "collective punishment" should be a cause for concern for humanity.
Stop conflicts, prevent human suffering
Fidan said Türkiye, in line with the vision of President (Recep Tayyip Erdogan, essentially aims to stop conflicts, prevent human suffering, and ultimately engage in an effort that, if possible, opens the way for peace.
He said the international community needs to take ownership of the Palestine-Israel dispute, and make grounds for negotiations which enable a two-state solution.
Western bias
The Turkish diplomat also compared Western approach on conflicts, saying it supports one thing in Ukraine and another thing in Palestine. "If you present argument for Ukraine, you should present the same argument for Palestine," he said.
Fidan said that with unconditional support from the US, Israel achieved "many temporary victories, but it has never been able to attain a lasting and secure peace."
The conflict in Gaza began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air.
Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, along with stepping up raids and arrests in the occupied West Bank.
In addition to launching a sweeping bombardment campaign ahead of an expected ground invasion, Israel ordered a "full siege" on Gaza that has led to electricity supplies being severed as water, food, fuel and medical supplies run out.
