This sharpens the rhetoric used by Turkish officials towards the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which has entered its fifth month with no signs of abating.
Speaking at a panel hosted by Anadolu Agency, Altun specifically mentioned the recent israeli airstrikes on Rafah, a densely populated Palestinian city, as stark evidence of a deliberate policy targeting civilians. He emphasized that these actions constitute a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and urged the international community to take immediate action to hold Israel accountable.
The Turkish official further criticized Israel for employing a "comprehensive disinformation campaign" to downplay the severity of the situation and deflect criticism. He accused Israel of attempting to normalize its "brutality" towards Palestinians through carefully crafted narratives and media manipulation. Altun urged the public to remain vigilant against such tactics and rely on credible sources for information.
The human cost of the genocide continues to mount at an alarming rate. According to the latest reports, the death toll from the Israeli offensive in Gaza, which began on October 7th, 2023, has surpassed 29,000 Palestinians, with over 68,000 wounded. The vast majority of casualties are civilians, including a significant number of women and children.
Türkiye has emerged as a vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, consistently calling for an end to the bloodshed and a return to diplomacy. Altun's statement reflects the growing frustration and anger within the Turkish government over the perceived lack of international intervention and accountability. (ILKHA)