Erdogan Warns Israel: Defeat of Hamas in Gaza May Lead to Targeting of Turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Israel on Wednesday that it would target Turkey if it successfully defeats Hamas in Gaza.
Erdogan, a critic of Israel's war in Gaza following Hamas's attack in October, has previously supported the Palestinian group.
Israel, the US, EU, and others classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Erdogan told his party lawmakers in Ankara that Israel would not stop in Gaza and would eventually set its sights on Anatolia, the large Turkish peninsula.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his support for Hamas during a speech on Monday, stating that the organization fights for its own land's independence.
Erdogan also mentioned that over 1,000 Hamas members are receiving medical treatment in Turkish hospitals due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The recent attack on Israel resulted in over 1,170 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Israeli official figures.
Militants seized over 250 hostages, with around 128 still believed to be in Gaza, including 36 reportedly dead by the Israeli military.
The health ministry in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip reported that over 35,000 people have been killed in Israel's bombardment and offensive, primarily women and children.