UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM TURKISH PRESIDENT
By Merve Berker
ANKARA (AA) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the latest situation in Gaza over the phone, Türkiye's Communications Directorate on Saturday.
They also exchanged views on what needs to be done to prevent human rights violations in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the continued delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, the directorate said on X.
Erdogan stressed that the stance of Western nations had increased human rights violations in Gaza, while underlining that the failure of countries to try to stop Israel would have irreparable consequences.
He further emphasized that the West and global public opinion needed to take immediate action to end the humanitarian tragedies occurring in plain sight, yet ignored.
Meanwhile, Jens Stoltenberg also said on X that he talked with Erdogan “about terrorism and the situation in the Middle East.”
“We agree that terrorism must be fought & civilians protected. I welcome that emergency aid is now reaching Gaza,” he stated.
In addition, he stressed that the two leaders “also addressed Sweden’s #NATO accession.”
The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Palestinian resistance 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 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.
At least 4,385 Palestinians, including 1,756 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.
Earlier on Saturday, a humanitarian convoy of 20 trucks began to enter the Gaza Strip from the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, the first since the armed conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas on Oct. 7.