Without doubt, Türkiye has given strongest response to Israel's atrocities: President Erdogan

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Without any doubt, Türkiye has given the strongest response to Israel's atrocities in Palestine such as halting trade, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

Ankara suspended all trade with Israel in May citing a worsening humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, where Israel has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians since last October.

"As long as arms shipments continue, Israel will be more aggressive, every day that Israel is not stopped, situation in Palestine and Lebanon worsens," Erdogan told reporters on board the presidential plane following his visits to Riyadh and Baku.

Speaking of a possible reconciliation with Syria, he said Türkiye reached out for normalization, expressing its belief that it would open door to peace and stability in Syrian territories.

The Turkish president said cross-border operations are always in the cards for the country's security, expressing readiness to start anytime if felt threatened.

Erdogan also noted that the "threat of Israel," right next to Syria, is not a fairy tale, warning that the fire in the surrounding areas can quickly spread in the unstable lands.

Regarding the new administration in the US, Erdogan expressed hope that President-elect Donald Trump would take different steps for the region in the coming days.