In a joint news conference held in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, Venezuela's top diplomat, Yvan Gil, praised Türkiye's role in providing assistance to Palestinians in the face of relentless attacks by Israel on Gaza.

Expressing appreciation for Türkiye's leadership in the Islamic and Muslim world, as well as its regional influence, Gil emphasized the significance of Türkiye's contribution to the Palestinian cause. He expressed confidence that Türkiye would play a crucial role in helping the Palestinian people achieve victory against adversity.

During discussions with his Turkish counterpart, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Gil highlighted the common stance shared by both countries in defending the rights of the Palestinian people. He specifically lauded Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's unwavering support for Palestine, stating that they were "proud" of his stance.

The recent escalation of violence in Gaza, triggered by an Oct. 7 cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, has resulted in devastating consequences. Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of over 29,600 people and caused extensive destruction and shortages of essential supplies. Additionally, nearly 70,000 individuals have been injured as a result of the ongoing conflict.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached critical levels, with 85% of the population displaced internally and facing severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine. Moreover, 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to reports from the United Nations.

Israel's actions in Gaza have prompted accusations of genocide, leading to a case being brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In a significant interim ruling issued in January, the ICJ ordered Israel to cease genocidal acts and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.

The remarks from Venezuela underscore the growing international condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza and highlight the importance of global solidarity in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region. (ILKHA)