Speaking alongside a delegation from the Turkish parliament, Yalcın accused Israel of “crimes against humanity” and of bearing responsibility for “the ongoing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.”
“We must unite for Gaza and for humanity,” he said, adding that the visit was intended to reaffirm Turkey’s support for Palestinians in the strip.
Yalcın also announced that Turkey had cut trade relations with Israel, stressing Ankara’s “unwavering support” for the Palestinian cause.
“We will not turn our back on Gaza,” he said.
The politician urged the international community to “assume its responsibility toward the Palestinian cause,” calling for the two-state solution to be implemented.
“Israel must be held accountable for its crimes and compelled to pay reparations for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip,” he stated.
Since the outbreak of Israel's war on Gaza in October 2023, Egypt and Turkey have stepped up diplomatic efforts to end Israel’s genocide, which the United Nations (UN) has said has pushed the besieged strip into famine.
On 18 August, Hamas accepted the terms of a 60-day ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal proposed by Cairo and Doha, with US input, which had been previously agreed to by Israel.
But despite this, Tel Aviv has ignored the proposal.
In tandem, Israeli forces have pressed on with their military assault in Gaza City with the aim of occupying it, and maintained a blockade on humanitarian aid, including food, water, fuel, and medicine.
Cairo and Doha have since intensified mediation efforts to end Israel's war that has killed more than 64,400 Palestinians and wounded over 164,000 others, most of them women and children.
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