UPDATE - Turkish president says calls for peace in Gaza 'fruitless due to negative approach of US'

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY PRESIDENT ERDOGAN

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday said calls for peace in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has killed more than 28,000 people, "unfortunately remain fruitless due to a negative approach of the US."

"Although the US claims to have sent some high-level officials to the region ostensibly to resolve the issue, tangible results are yet to be achieved. Despite the situation, we continue to strive for a cease-fire and peace, as we see no alternative way out," Erdogan said.

Speaking to reporters on his return flight from Egypt after a day-long official visit, Erdogan said the views he expressed at the start of the conflict in the Palestinian enclave were now being echoed in the West.

Erdogan said that attacks on the Gaza Strip, ongoing since the Oct. 7 incursion by Palestinian group Hamas, reflect Israel's "usual lack of conscience," and underlined that security of the people in the region "cannot be compromised."

"Humanity must hear this cry as soon as possible. The responsibility and accountability for remaining silent in the face of this genocide are immense.

"History will judge those who allowed the deliberate killing of those people. Those who are complicit in this genocide have already been declared guilty before history," he added.

Erdogan took note of how some countries that had sided with Israel in the beginning are now "expressing remorse," adding that Türkiye persists in seeking a "lasting peace."

"The world cannot ignore that solution lies in independent, sovereign Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem based on 1967 borders," the Turkish president said.

The president added that Türkiye is not only defending “its Palestinian brothers” but also defending human rights, peace international law.

"Is forcing civilians to supposedly safe area before bombing it in line with humanitarian values, laws of war, international law, human rights?" he questioned.

Erdogan also urged change in the "distorted structure of the global system, which now paves the way for new massacres," also underlining the need for effective oversight mechanisms.

- Talks in Egypt

He pointed to positive developments on the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, adding that he had discussed these with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who expressed Cairo's commitment to maintain pressure on Israel.

"We will primarily engage in discussions with both President Sisi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Officials from the US also say they will continue to exert pressure on Israel in this regard," he added.

Erdogan highlighted that while the number of aid trucks reaching Gaza has reached 200-250, he said this is insufficient, stating that a meaningful solution to addressing the needs of people in the enclave could not be achieved until this number reaches 500-600 trucks.

"We have profound cultural and historical connections with Egypt. Not only do we share the same history, but we also share the same sea, and the global importance of that sea is increasing day by day.

"On the other hand, foreign policy is constructed and managed on the basis of mutual interests. Therefore, the synchronized steps taken together by the two countries undoubtedly serve their mutual interests," he added.

"Erdogan added that Ankara and Cairo must stand together to preserve peace and tranquility both in the region and globally.

The Turkish president said Ankara's coordination and cooperation with Cairo will significantly contribute to peace, tranquility, stability of the region, adding that his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will visit Türkiye in April or May.