UPDATE - ‘Türkiye stands with brotherly Lebanese people,’ says President Erdogan amid Israel's invasion plan

ADDS MORE STATEMENTS BY TURKISH PRESIDENT

By Zehra Nur Duz

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday called on all regional countries to stand with Lebanon against Israel's invasion plan.

In an address to the parliamentary group of his Justice and Development (AK) Party in the capital Ankara, Erdogan said: “Israel, which has devastated Gaza, is now setting its sights on Lebanon. We see that Western powers are supporting Israel behind the scenes.”

“Türkiye stands with brotherly Lebanese people and state and I invite other countries in the region to stand in solidarity with Lebanon as well,” said Erdogan.

"Netanyahu's plans to spread the war across the region will lead to a major catastrophe,” he warned, adding: “Islamic world and Middle Eastern countries should be the first to react to these bloody plans."

“It is extremely dire, pathetic that states, which talk about freedom, human rights, and justice, are held captive by a madman like Netanyahu,” the president added.

Erdogan said that the photo of Gazan children with their skin clinging to their bones because they cannot find a bite to eat is inscribed in the book of shame of the modern world.

"This photo will be remembered with sorrow, not only as a symbol of the bankruptcy of the global system but also as a symbol of the impotence of the Islamic world," said Erdogan.

- Recognition of Palestinian state

Erdogan said that during his visits to Spain and Italy on the eve of Eid al-Adha, he brought up the Israeli oppression against Gazans.

During his visits, Erdogan told his counterparts that “as long as the policies of occupation and massacre continue in Palestine, no place in the world will be safe.”

He underlined that the most effective response to Israel's arrogance and disregard for law is the recognition of the Palestinian state.

Erdogan expressed hope that the conscientious stance exhibited by Norway, Ireland, and Slovenia would serve as an example for all of Europe.

"We are pleased with Armenia's decision to recognize the Palestinian state under Prime Minister Pashinyan's leadership," said Erdogan.

"We will continue our efforts to ensure that many more countries recognize Palestine," the Turkish leader added.

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

Nearly 37,700 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, and more than 86,200 others injured, according to local health authorities.

More than eight months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, whose latest ruling ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.