Turkiye the international community to take urgent action to prevent Israel from moving forward with plans to seize control of Gaza City, under a proposal announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a strongly worded statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned Israel’s intentions, accusing Netanyahu’s government of pursuing “genocide” and attempting to forcibly displace Palestinians. The ministry said such actions undermine international peace and security.
“This is an effort to make Gaza uninhabitable,” the statement said, urging a halt to what it called an expansion of occupation.
Turkiye emphasized that a lasting peace in the region requires adherence to international law, a focus on diplomacy, and respect for human rights. It called for an immediate cease-fire and renewed talks aimed at a two-state solution.
Netanyahu’s office had announced Friday that the Israeli military would prepare to take control of Gaza City as part of a broader plan to defeat Hamas. In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Netanyahu clarified that while Israel intended to take full military control of Gaza, it had no plans to govern the territory long-term.
Netanyahu said Israel wanted a “security perimeter” and to hand the Palestinian territory to “Arab forces that will govern it properly without threatening us”.
“That’s not possible with Hamas,” he added.
His office on Friday said a majority of the security cabinet had adopted “five principles”, including demilitarization of the territory and “the establishment of an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority”.
An unspecified “alternative plan” was rejected by the cabinet, it added.
The Israeli army said last month that it controlled 75% of the Gaza Strip, mainly from its positions in the territory along the border.
An expanded Israeli offensive in Gaza could see ground troops operate in densely populated areas where hostages are believed to be held, Israeli media have reported.
Turkiye also called on the U.N. Security Council to take binding action against Israel and fulfill its responsibility to prevent further escalation.
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