The President condemned Israel's military actions, lamenting the devastation brought to the region by continued airstrikes and assaults.

In his address, Erdoğan highlighted the “distressing” state of the region, stating that nearly 50,000 people—many of them women and children—have been massacred in Gaza since Israeli attacks began nearly a year ago. He pointed out that 100,000 more have been wounded, and entire cities have been reduced to rubble as Israel extends its operations into Lebanon under the pretext of targeting Hezbollah.

The Turkish president expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of key leaders in the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance, including Ismail Haniyeh, the last elected prime minister of Palestine, and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. He called for divine mercy for those lost in the attacks.

Erdoğan sharply criticized Western nations for their continued military and diplomatic support of Israel, accusing them of contributing to the bloodshed by supplying weapons, ammunition, and intelligence. “Those who supply these bombs are as complicit as those who drop them,” he said, emphasizing that international law has been disregarded in favor of actions that inflame the conflict further.

The President also reacted to Israel's declaration of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres as "persona non grata," expressing confidence that most countries would stand behind the UN chief. He stressed that Israeli provocations are undermining peace efforts in the region.

Touching on broader geopolitical implications, Erdoğan warned of an "insidious plan" in the region, pointing out that the ultimate goal involves a long-standing vision tied to Jerusalem, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the "delusion of the promised land." He accused Israel of provocations and a reckless challenge to Türkiye, stating that Israel's intentions become clearer with every statement and action.

Türkiye, he asserted, continues to closely monitor developments on the ground while strengthening ties with neighboring and brotherly nations.

Shifting focus to Türkiye's defense capabilities, Erdoğan outlined his nation's commitment to bolstering technological independence in the face of external threats. He praised the achievements of Türkiye's domestic defense sector, highlighting various technological advancements, from tanks and warships to UAVs and cyber defense.

Erdoğan reaffirmed that Türkiye's goal is peace and protection of its citizens, not war, underscoring the nation's resolve to defend justice and stand by the oppressed. He concluded by vowing that Türkiye would not allow another partition of the region akin to the Sykes-Picot Agreement.

Reiterating Türkiye’s commitment to peace, Erdoğan emphasized that the nation’s defensive measures and technological advancements serve to protect against aggression, not to provoke conflict. “We will not allow our region to be torn into pieces again with a new Sykes-Picot partition,” he concluded. (ILKHA)