The humanitarian tragedy which takes place in the Gaza Strip should not be perceived simply as a conflict confined to a narrow strip of land; Rather, it should be considered an in -depth humanitarian disaster which hurts the collective consciousness of humanity every day that passes. The bombing of Israel has targeted women, children and the elderly, making cities uninhabitable. Houses, hospitals, schools and places of worship have been reduced to rubble; Essential services such as food, water, health care and electricity collapsed. Hunger, thirst and threat of epidemic disease propel Gaza to total humanitarian collapse. To date, more than 61,000 Palestinians – the majority of women and children – have been killed in Israeli attacks. This image is not only the brand of war, but also a striking blow of a systematic annihilation policy.
Faced with such a disastrous image, the silence of the world or its weak responses deepen the suffering and pave the way to the continuation of oppression. Western double standard – rushing to act in other crises while adopting an ambivalent approach to Gaza – undermines the credibility of an international ordinance allegedly based on principles and rules. It is a fact that if the rapid and complete sensitivity shown in the crisis in Ukraine has also been displayed in the face of atrocities in Gaza, the landscape to which we would face today would be entirely different. Israel’s ability to act without the slightest sanction has accelerated the erosion of international law and human rights standards. The Gaza crisis is before us as a decisive test to know if the international community is arranged and capable of maintaining the most fundamental human values.
From the start, Turkiye demonstrated a resolute position, consistent and based on principles to put an end to the atrocities and the worsening of the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Our chairmanship in disaster management and emergency management (AFAD), the Turkish red crescent and our civil society organizations are actively working in the field, and despite all obstacles, food, medicines and medical supplies are delivered in the region with the support of the fragrant nations nearby. Wounded gasans are evacuated and treated in Turkiye. These help efforts not only meet urgent needs, but also proclaim the world that the inhabitants of Gaza are not alone. On the diplomatic level, our calls to a cease-fire continue within the United Nations and the organization of Islamic cooperation, and our mediation efforts between Palestinian groups are underway.
At the top of the NATO held in The Hague on June 25, I stressed that the fragile ceasefire should be transformed into lasting peace, warning that “Gaza does not have time to waste”. I openly defined the attacks of Israel and the policy of collective punishment – in blatant contempt for international law – like genocide. We are working in close collaboration, in particular with Qatar, on humanitarian access, ceasefire negotiations and reconstruction. We appreciate the main role of Qatar in the facilitation of humanitarian aid and in the progression of diplomatic initiatives aimed at putting an end to the massacre.
Violence in Gaza not only threatens the Palestinian people, but also the stability of the whole region. Tensions between Israel and Iran reinforce the risk of a broader conflict, the potential to disturb the balance of the safety of the eastern Mediterranean in the Gulf. The deepening of the crisis constitutes serious threats in the form of new waves of displacement, increased radicalization and risks for energy security. Gaza’s question is therefore not only a humanitarian crisis, but also a question of strategic importance for global security and peace.
The path to a solution is, in substance, clear. An immediate cease-fire must be declared and all attacks must be interrupted unconditionally. Humanitarian corridors must be opened to ensure that unhindered delivery of food, water and medical aid, and international mechanisms should be established to protect civilians. Turkiye is ready to serve as an actor to shape this process. War crimes and human rights violations must be investigated before the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice; The authors must be held to explain the law. Sustainable resources must be guaranteed for assistance organizations – in particular the Rescue Agency and United Nations work for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) – which are strangled by Israeli pressure.
The reconstruction of Gaza should not be confined to the reconstruction of destroyed structures; It must evolve towards a complete process which protects the rights of education, health care, infrastructure, economic development and political representation. This process should be carried out with the direct participation of the local population and under the supervision of the United Nations and regional organizations. The foundation of sustainable peace lies in the recognition of an independent and sovereign state of Palestine with its safeguarded territorial integrity. A two -state solution is the only key to peace and stability in the region.
The events in Gaza once again demonstrate that the war also targets those who pursue the truth. In recent months, many journalists have been murdered simply for having done their duty, trying to bring the reality of the conflict zones to the world. The losses suffered by Tel Aviv Tribune, in particular, are classified among the most brutal assaults against press freedom and the right to information. The death of courageous individuals who strive to bring the truth to the world and to raise the veil of lies and propaganda that wrap war is a deep loss for all of us. Their memory will remain a symbol of the pursuit of justice. I was going to condolences to the families of the deceased, their colleagues and the whole media community.
The cause of Palestine and Gaza transcends borders; It is a common test for humanity. We must never forget the heavy price borne by human dignity when the world has closed their eyes to the tragedies of Bosnia and Rwanda. For this reason, the unshakable position of Turkiye on Gaza is both a moral obligation and a strategic necessity. With all the actors who believe in humanitarian diplomacy, above all among them Qatar, we will continue our efforts to lasting, fair and honorable peace. We consider that the achievement of peace is not out of reach, but rather an essential objective which has been expected for too long. We are committed to making all the efforts to achieve peace and will persist in our efforts.
History testifies to those who have taken measures and those who have turned away from cruelty in Gaza. Gaza does not have time to lose; The international community must take into account the voice of global conscience and the law. The future of humanity will be shaped by the courage of the stages that we take today.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Tel Aviv Tribune.
