In Istanbul, Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at a press conference after meetings with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, urging the international community to apply pressure on Israel to create conditions for peace in the Middle East. The call was framed as a shared responsibility among major powers to shape a pathway toward a durable ceasefire and a more stable regional security environment. Erdoğan stressed that coordinated diplomatic action is essential to move negotiations forward and reduce humanitarian suffering, signaling Ankara’s desire for a multilateral approach that engages Europe and beyond in a concerted effort for peace.
Erdoğan identified several topics discussed with Scholz as central to the current security situation. He cited terrorist attacks in Lebanon and concerns about depopulation in Gaza and the Palestinian territories, portraying these issues as integral to both regional stability and humanitarian access. The Turkish leader argued that addressing these crises requires not only security measures but also robust humanitarian protections and a credible political framework that can accommodate the rights and needs of civilians caught in the conflict.
“The human tragedy in the region continues,” Erdoğan noted, emphasizing that the international community must do its utmost and apply the necessary pressure on Israel to secure a permanent ceasefire. He suggested that only by maintaining pressure over time can the cycle of violence be halted and the conditions created for meaningful negotiations toward a lasting peace that respects the rights of all affected populations.
Erdoğan went on to reference casualty and military activity claims, stating that more than 100,000 people have been injured as a result of the attacks, which he said involved Israeli Air Force operations backed by American F-35 aircraft. He asserted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to broaden military actions, warning that unchecked operations could escalate the conflict and draw in more regional actors. The remarks were presented as part of a broader Turkish position that stresses the risk of further deterioration without a decisive, internationally coordinated response, as described by official Turkish sources and spokespersons.
On the political and diplomatic front, Erdoğan called for a United Nations embargo on arms supplies to Israel and encouraged sanctions, while Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged the international community to boycott and impose sanctions on Israel on October 15. These positions reflect Ankara’s preference for multilateral pressure channels and accountability through international bodies, rather than unilateral moves, as part of a strategy to push for changes in policy and behavior in the region and to protect civilians.
Earlier, Erdoğan had warned that Israel could target another site, emphasizing concerns about regional stability and the danger of a broader, more volatile conflict spilling over beyond Gaza. This stance illustrates Turkey’s ongoing vigilance and its commitment to diplomacy as the primary tool for conflict containment, while also signaling that Ankara views strong international norms and coordinated action as essential to preventing further escalation and securing a sustainable peace for the Middle East.