(MENAFN) Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of breaching the Gaza ceasefire, arguing that the country relies on “made-up” justifications to do so. Speaking at an event in Istanbul, he claimed that Hamas has remained committed to upholding the truce despite ongoing provocations.

According to reports, Erdogan criticized global news outlets for failing to acknowledge the deaths of media workers, noting that “over 270 journalists were killed in Gaza.” He further stated that thousands of students, teachers, and academics have lost their lives, emphasizing the scale of devastation. Erdogan highlighted that “More than 785,000 students have been deprived of their right to education... What is happening is a deliberate, intentional, and planned policy of mass killing.”

He said he has continued raising these concerns internationally, including during recent discussions at high-level global meetings. Reports indicate that Israeli operations since October 2023 have resulted in nearly 70,000 deaths—predominantly women and children—and left more than 170,000 people injured in Gaza.

In a message shared on a Turkish social media platform, Erdogan commemorated the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. He extended his support to Palestinians and noted that Turkey is working to deliver humanitarian supplies as colder weather approaches.

Erdogan reiterated that Turkey is committed to sustaining the ceasefire and pursuing a fair and lasting peace. He stated that Turkey will “resolutely” advocate for a two-state solution until a fully sovereign Palestinian nation is established based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The annual observance on Nov. 29, created by the UN in 1977, serves as a reminder of the Palestinian pursuit of justice, peace, and self-determination—an issue rooted in the unresolved partition plan introduced decades earlier.

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