Turkey Joins Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan in Condemning Israeli Forces Shooting Desperately Hungry Palestinians Waiting for Aid Delivery
In a shocking turn of events, Turkey has joined Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan in condemning the actions of Israeli forces who fired upon desperately hungry Palestinians waiting for the delivery of aid. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has accused Israel of using “starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza.” The consequences of this tragic incident have been devastating, with at least 112 Palestinians killed and hundreds more wounded, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza.
The incident occurred when a large crowd of desperate people raced to pull goods off an aid convoy. Witnesses claim that they came under fire from nearby Israeli troops. However, Israel has defended its actions, stating that many of the dead were trampled in a chaotic crush for the food aid and that its troops only fired when they felt endangered by the crowd.
This incident is just one in a series of tragic events that have unfolded since Israel’s war on Hamas began nearly five months ago. The number of Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip has now soared above 30,000, with the conflict creating a humanitarian catastrophe and devastation in northern areas like Gaza City. These areas are largely cut off from the rest of the territory, with little aid entering.
Amidst this ongoing crisis, Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah have met in Moscow for the first time since October 7. The summit, hosted by Russia, also included representatives from other Palestinian factions. Following two days of meetings, the factions released a joint statement expressing their aim to hold more rounds of meetings to reach “national unity that includes all Palestinian forces and factions within the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.” This meeting marks a significant step towards potential reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, as Hamas is not currently part of the Fatah-dominated PLO.
The issue of post-war governance in Gaza has been a subject of heated debate, both between Israel and the United States and within the Palestinian factions themselves. While Israel and the U.S. believe that Hamas cannot govern the enclave after the war, the Biden administration seeks eventual Palestinian governance in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank as a precursor to Palestinian statehood. On the other hand, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects a two-state solution and envisions hand-picked Palestinians administering Gaza.
In addition to these developments, there have been calls for a pause in the fighting in Gaza. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri expressed hope for an agreement that could lead to a permanent ceasefire before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to begin around March 10. Shoukri emphasized the importance of achieving a ceasefire to prevent further escalation of emotions and dissatisfaction among the Arab and Muslim world.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has agreed to provide $50 million to the main U.N. provider of aid in Gaza, the UNRWA agency. This decision comes after the agency agreed to allow EU-appointed experts to audit its staff screening process to identify extremists. The UNRWA agency has been under scrutiny following allegations that 12 of its staff members participated in the Hamas attacks on southern Israel in October. The agency fired these employees, but many countries suspended their funding as a result. The EU’s decision to release the funds next week is a crucial lifeline for the agency, which is on the brink of financial collapse.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, Turkey has strongly denounced the actions of Israeli forces. In a statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, they described the incident as “yet another crime against humanity” and accused Israel of using “starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza.” Turkey has called on all those with influence over the Israeli government to stop the ongoing violence and prevent the situation from escalating further.
The events unfolding in Gaza are a stark reminder of the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The international community must come together to address the humanitarian crisis and work towards a lasting solution that ensures the safety and well-being of all those affected by this devastating conflict.
