Türkiye sounds high alert over 'ongoing genocide' in Gaza, Israeli attacks in West Bank

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye warned on Wednesday that "the ongoing genocide in Gaza as well as settler violence against Palestinians and Israeli military attacks in the West Bank are alarming."

"The international community must act as soon as possible to stop the Israeli attacks, which threaten the stability of our region and the international order, and to reduce tensions," said a statement by the country's Foreign Ministry.

Stressing that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with the other members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Arab League Contact Group on Gaza, the statement said the contact group was also received by Jordan’s King Abdullah.

The statement added that efforts to halt "the Israeli genocide" in Gaza, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, promote cease-fire talks, and end the “increasing occupation of the West Bank, provocations against the historical status quo of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem," were discussed during the meetings.

"The international community must act as soon as possible to stop the Israeli attacks, which threaten the stability of our region and the international order, and to reduce tensions," it stated.

It highlighted that the Contact Group on Gaza will maintain endeavors for "immediate implementation" of a two-state solution to establish lasting peace in Palestine, increased recognition of Palestine by more nations, and its full UN membership as the initial step in this process.

Fidan on Wednesday traveled to Jordan to take part in the contact group's meeting on Gaza.

The meeting follows last week’s gathering in Madrid which included representatives from Spain, Norway, Slovenia, the European Commission, and other nations.

The contact group, formed at an OIC-Arab League Extraordinary Joint Summit in Riyadh last November, has been actively engaged in diplomatic initiatives worldwide to stop the relentless Israeli offensive.

Flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian group Hamas.

More than 41,000 people, mostly women and children, have since been killed and over 95,400 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel also faces accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.