Russia-Ukraine war, Israel’s attack on Gaza could escalate into regional, global wars: Turkish foreign minister

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Both the Russia-Ukraine war and Israel’s months-long offensive on Gaza could escalate into regional or even global wars, warned the Turkish foreign minister on Tuesday.

“These conflicts could turn into regional and global wars. To prevent this, everyone needs to pitch in and help,” Hakan Fidan told a joint news conference with his Czech counterpart Jan Lipavsky in the Turkish capital Ankara.

Stating that he and Lipavsky had discussed Gaza, Fidan said that Israel continues to carry out “literal ethnic cleansing” in Gaza, and commits new war crimes every day.

“We have not been silent, nor will we remain silent, about Israel's ongoing pursuit of expanding its territories and attempting to steal the lands of our Palestinian brothers,” he added.

Underlining that Türkiye supports any initiatives aiming for a cease-fire in Gaza, Fidan reiterated Ankara’s support for a two-state solution.

Reiterating Türkiye’s support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, Fidan said of the war, now well into its third year: “We cannot ignore the loss of life and horrific devastation caused by the war. Over 500,000 people have lost their lives in this conflict.”

“This war also carries the risk of spreading beyond Ukraine's borders and even leading to the use of weapons of mass destruction,” he added.

He voiced Ankara’s desire to see the parties to the conflict “sitting down at the negotiating table for peace.”