Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Israel is committing a "complete genocide" in Gaza and directly holds Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu main one responsible for the killings.
"I don't think we can explain it in any other way. This is completely a genocide. And this genocide is caused by Netanyahu. Netanyahu, mercilessly, has unfortunately killed tens of thousands with this genocide," Erdogan told Fox News on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday.
He added that over 120,000 people have been wounded in Gaza and that Türkiye has taken many of the wounded into the country for treatment.
"We are in complete opposition to this genocide," he said.
Asked about the Palestinian resistance group Hamas and the hostages it has, Erdogan rejected claims that the blame rests solely with Hamas.
"This is not a crime that is one-sided. I think that would be wrong to accuse just Hamas about this. At the same time, how can we put aside what Netanyahu has done?" he said.
He accused Israel of indiscriminate attacks on civilians, adding: "When it comes to weapons, it (Hamas) can't even be compared with Israel, and Israel is using this power without mercy, from age 7 to 70, children, women, the elderly. They have no mercy. And these people are being killed."
On prospects for ending the conflict, Erdogan was sceptical, comparing it to the unresolved Russia-Ukraine war: "You might remember (US President Donald Trump) said: 'I will finish the Russia-Ukraine war.' Did it end? It still goes on. Similarly, he said: 'I will finish the war in Gaza.' Did he? No."
Asked if he sees Hamas as a terrorist group, he rejected the idea: "I don't see Hamas as a terrorist organisation. On the contrary, I see it as a resistance group … They are using what they have to try to defend themselves."
Unity of Muslim world against Israel
Separately, Erdogan met with Sheikh Sabah Khalid al-Sabah, crown prince of Kuwait, at the Turkish House (Turkevi Center) in New York, where he hailed the Muslim world unity against Israel.
During the meeting, held in New York on the eve of the UN General Assembly, the two discussed relations between the two nations as well as regional and global issues, Erdogan also highlighted the need for continued talks to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
Emphasising the importance of developing relations between Türkiye and Kuwait, particularly in trade, Erdogan said both countries would continue to work to strengthen cooperation.
On Syria, President Erdogan underlined the importance of focusing on rebuilding and development while maintaining the country's territorial integrity, reaffirming Ankara's support for Syria.
