Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire would not trigger a conventional war but rather a renewed genocide, highlighting Türkiye’s leadership role and calling for accountability for damages.

Speaking on television, Fidan described the ceasefire agreement reached at the Sharm el-Sheikh peace summit as a “historic signature” that marked a turning point for Gaza and the broader Middle East.

“It was extremely important for Gaza, for the region, and for the reassertion of our president’s global leadership,” he said.

Fidan emphasized that Israel’s military operations in Gaza no longer resemble traditional warfare.

“The breakdown of the ceasefire means that Israel is using its overwhelming superiority in weapons to kill defenseless Palestinians. It’s not war that will begin, but genocide that will begin again,” he said.
“This is not a traditional conflict where both sides fight on equal footing. What continues in Gaza is systematic extermination.”

He warned that without a lasting political settlement, future violence is inevitable.

“If there is no permanent two-state solution, we may stop this war now, but another one will erupt in a few years. As long as occupation and oppression persist, resistance will continue.”

Fidan underlined Türkiye’s goals: stop the mass killings, alleviate civilian suffering, and prevent large-scale displacement of Palestinians.

“Our priority is to stop the ongoing genocide, to ensure the Palestinian people are not uprooted again, and to bring immediate relief to Gaza’s civilians,” he said.

He stressed that the ceasefire must enable continued humanitarian aid and a transfer of administrative responsibility to a Palestinian authority, with concrete steps toward a two-state solution.

Death Toll Could Exceed 70,000

The foreign minister said the actual number of Palestinians killed may be significantly higher than reported.

“I truly believe the number exceeds 70,000. Many massacres and executions have occurred beyond the view of cameras,” he said.

Fidan criticized Western nations for ignoring the humanitarian catastrophe, saying their moral credibility has been eroded.

“Those who once claimed moral superiority are now turning a blind eye to barbarity. In the 1940s, they were on the wrong side of history, and in 2025, they are again.”

Türkiye Ready to Lead Gaza Reconstruction

Fidan said Türkiye is prepared to play a leading role in rebuilding Gaza once stability is secured.

“After the Feb. 6, 2023 earthquake, the world saw the professionalism of our rapid rebuilding. There is no reason the same cannot be done in Gaza,” he said.

He stressed that international coordination and funding are essential, and Israel must be held accountable for damages.

“Compensation must be on the agenda as a matter of justice,” he added.

Exposing the Illusion Surrounding Israel

According to Fidan, the war in Gaza has shattered the long-standing “illusion” created by Israel and revealed contradictions in Western policy.

“Stopping the genocide will only be possible once this illusion fully disappears,” he said.

Türkiye has pursued active diplomacy from the start, uniting Muslim-majority nations and encouraging international engagement. Fidan noted that the meeting between President Erdogan, seven Muslim leaders, and US President Donald Trump in New York helped shift Washington toward a mediating role.

On regional dialogue, Fidan welcomed recent talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara, calling it “a necessary and mature step.”

“Dialogue is always good. I respect the wisdom of such engagement,” he said, emphasizing Türkiye’s long-standing statecraft experience shared with regional partners.

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