Protesters rally in front of US consulate in Istanbul against Israeli attack on Gaza hospital

By Fatih Ulas

ISTANBUL (AA) - Protesters gathered Wednesday in front of the US consulate in Istanbul, Türkiye to demonstrate against the Israeli attack on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza.

Members of the Türkiye-based Anadolu Youth Association (AGD) expressed their condemnation of the Israeli bombing and attacks on Gaza.

The demonstrators also chanted slogans against the US and Israel, offered prayers for the victims of the attacks and recited passages from the Muslim holy book, the Quran.

In a statement, AGD Istanbul Provincial Chairman Mehmet Yaroglu said the US is "the supporter and accomplice of the occupying Israeli regime."

Yaroglu said that numerous innocent and defenseless people lost their lives in the hospital attack in Gaza.

"We declare from here that we stand with them, that we are integral parts of the same body. Our hearts, bodies and souls are united with them."

Omer Faruk Yazici, a politician from Türkiye's Felicity (Saadet) Party who attended the protest, said that as a civil initiative, they can only conduct peaceful protest demonstrations.

The protest took place in response to the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza, particularly the bombing of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital. The participants aimed to express their solidarity with the people of Gaza and to condemn the Israeli actions.

At least 471 people were killed and 342 injured in the Israeli airstrike on the hospital late Tuesday, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

Israel has denied responsibility for the attack.

The conflict began on Oct. 7 when the Palestinian group 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 Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza. The figure in Israel stands at more than 1,400.