Attacks on Gaza have long since crossed threshold of self-defense, turned into massacres: Turkish President Erdogan

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) - Israel's attacks on Gaza have long since crossed the threshold of self-defense to turn into open oppression, brutality, massacres, and barbarism, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.

"Nobody should expect us to stay silent while atrocities are happening before our eyes," Erdogan said at a meeting of the Family Council in the capital Ankara.

Criticizing the EU for failing to push for a cease-fire in Gaza, Erdogan said: "How many more children must die for the EU Commission to call for a cease-fire?"

"How many more bombs must fall on Gaza for the UN Security Council to take action?" he added, continuing his criticisms of the body’s ineffectuality.

The European Commission’s lead spokesperson on foreign affairs, Peter Stano, on Wednesday said the bloc has not called for a cease-fire due to the ongoing "attacks" from the Palestinian group Hamas.

Stano reiterated the EU's position and its support for Israel.

"Those who readily pass judgment on human rights and freedoms when the opportunity arises have been ignoring the right to life of the oppressed in Gaza for 19 years," Erdogan added.

He said that since the conflict began nearly three weeks ago, accompanied by a draconian cutoff of utilities for the Gaza Strip, Türkiye has sent over 200 tons of aid to get to Gaza through Egypt.

In recent days, Israel has let a trickle of aid enter the enclave, but far less than its 2.3 million residents need.

The conflict in Gaza began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood – a multi-pronged surprise attack on Oct. 7 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 against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Nearly 8,000 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 6,546 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.