Turkish foreign minister to attend extraordinary Islamic bloc meeting on Gaza

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidanis set to attend an extraordinary Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting on Wednesday focusing on the ongoing crisis in Gaza, especially the actions of the Israeli military.

The OIC Executive Committee meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia will discuss steps to be taken against Israel's "escalating, indiscriminate military aggression" against Palestinians in Gaza, said the Turkish Foreign Ministry in a statement.

It will aim to establish a common position within the OIC against the attacks.

Ten days into the conflict with Palestinian group Hamas, Israeli bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued, with over 1 million people – almost half the total population of Gaza – facing displacement.

Gaza is undergoing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out, as civilians flee to the south following Israel’s warning to evacuate northern areas.

The fighting began on Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing settler violence.

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

Since then the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has risen to 2,750, including 750 children.

In Israel, 1,300 have been killed.