Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that he wants to protect Hamas members in his home country from persecution by Israel. He threatens the Jewish state with ‘serious consequences’. In Turkey, the Islamists are not considered a terrorist group.
“If they take such a step against Turkey, they will pay the price in a way that they will not be able to recover,” Erdogan said on a return flight from Qatar on Wednesday, his office said.
State news agency Anadolu had reported on Monday that Ankara had threatened Israel with “serious consequences” if Israeli secret services pursued Hamas supporters in Turkey.
Israel wants to make network public
The Wall Street Journal had previously reported that Israeli secret services were preparing to hunt down and kill Hamas leaders around the world after the end of the Gaza war. Turkey has ties to Hamas, and there are also officials in the country. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his family have lived in the emirate of Qatar for years. Hamas is considered a terrorist organization in Europe and the US, but not in Turkey.
Erdogan also rejects plans to create a buffer zone in the Gaza Strip after the fighting ends. Such a plan is disrespectful to the Palestinians, Erdogan told the press on the flight back from Qatar to Turkey.
Erdogan blames the West
The future after the end of the war must be decided by the Palestinian people. Israel must return the territories it occupies to the Palestinians, the Habertürk broadcaster and other media quoted the president as saying.
Reuters reported last week that Israel had sent plans for a buffer zone to Turkey and several Arab states. According to media reports, Erdogan further said that Western countries’ support for Israel, especially the United States, caused the current situation in the region.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
