UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM THE FOREIGN MINISTER
By Emre Basaran
ISTANBUL (AA) – Türkiye’s foreign minister blasted the US on Thursday for blocking UN resolutions for a cease-fire in Gaza, which has seen an intense Israeli air and ground offensive since the flare-up of conflict on Oct. 7.
"Only the US stands between massacre and cease-fire in Gaza," said Hakan Fidan.
"It should no longer block any UN cease-fire resolutions," he added, referring to the widely criticized US vetoes of two UN Security Council cease-fire resolutions in October and earlier this month.
The top diplomat also criticized other Western countries for "being complicit" in Israel's attacks.
"The way Western countries, which brag about their morals, are complicit in the Gaza massacre points towards the collapse of the current global system," he said.
While Palestinian oppression is a tragedy in and of itself, Fidan said the greater tragedy is that "humanity has lost its own conscience," adding that the tide is turning and "humanity is coming back to its senses" on Gaza.
The foreign minister said the international community will correct this mistake as soon as possible and that they will continue their work on this issue without interruption.
"We have seen many countries, which were previously abstaining or (voting) against (cease-fire resolutions), have now decided to stand by Palestine," he said.
Fidan added that "we are seeing some slow progress" on Gaza.
"Especially, many Western countries, which initially remained silent about Israel's massacre, now either vote in the affirmative or abstain from the board vote. In fact, this is a great achievement not only for the Palestinians but also for humanity," the foreign minister said.
Noting that Türkiye is speaking out about Gaza, also on behalf of all humanity, Fidan said, "In order for the massacre to stop as soon as possible, a cease-fire to be achieved, humanitarian aid to be allowed, and to prevent this tragedy from recurring, we should join the efforts for a two-state solution for the security of both Israel and Palestine."
"We emphasize our messages on this issue clearly and consistently to all our interlocutors," he added.
Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege, and mounted a ground offensive in the wake of a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.
At least 18,608 Palestinians have been killed and over 50,000 injured in the Israeli onslaught since then, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
The official Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stands at 1,200, while around 139 hostages remain in captivity, according to official figures.