Emergency gathering convened by Turkey at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation due to Israel's proposed occupation of Gaza
Turkey and Egypt Condemn Israel's Gaza Occupation Plan
Turkey and Egypt have united in condemnation of Israel's plan to fully occupy Gaza, viewing it as a blatant violation of international law and a dangerous escalation. The two countries believe that Israel's intentions are leading to genocide, forced displacement, and annexation, which undermine peace efforts and regional stability.
The joint condemnation was announced after a recent bilateral meeting in Egypt, where the foreign ministers of both countries explicitly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's announced plan to take complete control over Gaza, including Gaza City. Egypt's Foreign Minister described Israel's plan as “inadmissible,” while Turkey's Foreign Minister emphasized the dangerous goal of removing Palestinians from Gaza entirely.
Both countries agreed on a joint approach to address the regional crises caused by the Israeli occupation. They pledged to use all available means to counter this plan and its consequences, condemning the "systematic starvation and genocide policy" imposed by Israel on Gaza. They highlighted the necessity for lifting all restrictions on Gaza crossings as part of their stance.
In addition to this, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar are collaborating on a ceasefire proposal aiming to provide an alternative to the Israeli occupation plan, which involves negotiations with Hamas and a prisoner exchange deal to help de-escalate the conflict.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza was the main topic of Foreign Minister Fidan's meeting with his Egyptian counterpart. Turkey has already delivered approximately 102,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, and Turkey thanked Egypt for its cooperation in facilitating these deliveries.
The diplomatic engagement reflected broader regional discussions, with plans for additional meetings within both the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to address Gaza-related issues. Egypt and Turkey are in agreement on condemning the occupation and expansion of control over Gaza.
Moreover, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan of Turkey announced a call for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address Israel's plan to fully occupy Gaza. The ministers also discussed the need for a political process to ensure Libya's unity and stability, and they called for Israel to end its occupation of five areas in Lebanon in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions.
The officials announced expectations for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Egypt next year as part of high-level strategic cooperation between the two countries. They also highlighted their commitment to ending conflicts in Sudan while preserving the country's territorial integrity.
The diplomatic engagement between Turkey and Egypt reflects a united front against Israeli policies in the Palestinian territory, signalling a strong commitment to upholding international law and promoting peace and stability in the region.
[1] "Turkey, Egypt condemn Israel's Gaza plan", Anadolu Agency, [https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkey-egypt-condemn-israels-gaza-plan/2142039] [2] "Turkey, Egypt call for unity against Israel's Gaza plan", Al Jazeera, [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/20/turkey-egypt-call-for-unity-against-israels-gaza-plan] [3] "Turkey, Egypt, Qatar propose ceasefire plan for Gaza", Middle East Monitor, [https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211022-turkey-egypt-qatar-propose-ceasefire-plan-for-gaza/] [4] "Turkey, Arab nations call for emergency UN meeting over Gaza", Anadolu Agency, [https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkey-arab-nations-call-for-emergency-un-meeting-over-gaza/2142445] [5] "Arab League condemns Israel's Gaza plan", Arab News, [https://www.arabnews.com/node/1975261/middle-east]
- Turkey and Egypt, alongside Qatar, have collaborated on a ceasefire proposal for Gaza to counter Israel's plan for occupation, involving negotiations with Hamas and a prisoner exchange, aiming to de-escalate the conflict.
- In a joint statement, Turkey, Egypt, and other countries within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have called for an emergency meeting to address Israel's plan for full occupation of Gaza, viewing it as a violation of international law.
- As part of high-level strategic cooperation, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan of Turkey announced plans for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Egypt next year, while both countries are committed to ending conflicts in Sudan while preserving the country's territorial integrity.
- Amidst broader regional discussions within the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Turkey and Egypt have signaled a strong commitment to upholding international law and promoting peace and stability in the region, particularly in Palestine and Syria.
- Turkey has already delivered approximately 102,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, with Turkey thanking Egypt for its assistance in facilitating these deliveries, as both countries work towards addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.