Turkish president discusses Gaza, humanitarian issues with Maldivian president-elect

By Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) — Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the current situation in Gaza, including humanitarian issues, with Maldives' president-elect on Saturday, according to the Turkish Communications Directorate.

In a phone call about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Erdogan told Mohamed Muizzi that Ankara is doing its best both to foster peace in the region and provide humanitarian aid, the directorate said on X.

Türkiye is constantly developing new formulas toward this end and will continue to do so, said Erdogan, who also congratulated Muizzu on his recent election victory.

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.