Devlet Bahçeli, head of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a key ally in Turkey’s ruling coalition with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, urged Ankara to act if Israel does not halt its strikes in the Gaza Strip. Speaking on the social platform X, Bahçeli said Turkey should move quickly because of its historical responsibility to intervene when civilians are endangered.
He stated, to his nation, that a ceasefire must be achieved within 24 hours, the attacks must stop, and the bombardment of the oppressed must end. He added that Turkey must intervene swiftly to fulfill what he described as historical and humanitarian duties that accompany the country’s legacy of religious responsibility.
Bahçeli asserted that safeguarding Gaza forms part of Turkey’s enduring mission and heritage.
On October 7, Hamas launched thousands of rockets into Israel and announced Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Militant groups reportedly entered Israeli territory, seized military equipment, and took numerous hostages. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was at war.
Israel’s defense forces conducted air and ground operations under the name Iron Swords, aiming to dismantle Hamas. The Israeli leadership also instructed the suspension of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel supplies to portions of the Gaza Strip. On October 13, Israel told the United Nations that about 1.1 million Palestinians would be moved to southern Gaza ahead of a ground offensive.
There have been accusations from various quarters that Israel seeks to crush the Palestinian people, a claim that has been echoed in international discussions and debates surrounding the conflict. [Citation: Reuters]