'Israel' wants to spread war beyond Gaza: Turkish FM
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Hakan Fidan says the war has demonstrated that international institutions, including the United Nations, are not operating properly, stressing the urgent need for change.
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Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes in Beirut's Southern Suburb, in Lebanon, on September 28, 2024. (AP)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on Saturday that "Israel's" escalating military operations, including the killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, indicate a willingness to expand the Gaza war to the region.
"There is a desire within Israel, including [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, to escalate the conflict across the region," Fidan stated in an exclusive interview for Turkey's national broadcaster TRT Haber in New York, adding that if the occupation is not stopped in Gaza, "it will spread its war to surrounding regions."
He stressed that after "Israel" has achieved its alleged military objectives in Gaza, it is now expanding to Lebanon.
Fidan described the continuing war on Gaza, where over 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, as a "tragedy" but added that if there is a larger tragedy, which is the world system's hypocrisy and ineptitude.
Fidan stated that the war has demonstrated that international institutions, including the United Nations, are not operating properly, stressing the urgent need for change.
He continued, "The despair in the UN, the silence of the international community on this issue, has become a frightening situation."
The Minister also emphasized the need to create an independent Palestine, stating that the Gaza Contact Group, which was created at a joint summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League in Saudi Arabia in November, is still working on the issue and noting that over 150 countries have recognized the state of Palestine.
Fidan pledged that Turkey would continue to strive for a peace-oriented approach in the region that is not "confined to either Western or Eastern axis."
He attacked the degree of US backing for "Israel", saying it was alarming that "all of the US' power is at Israel's disposal," despite the destruction in Lebanon, and described the martyrdom of Sayyed Nasrallah as a massive loss for both Iran and Hezbollah.
The Foreign Minister voiced concern that "Israel's" actions may drag its partners into a larger fight, saying it is "drawing both itself and its allies into a major conflict."
Turkish parliament speaker condemns Israeli targeting of Hezbollah leader
On Saturday, Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus decried the assassination of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday.
"The assassination of Lebanese religious leader and Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hasan Nasrallah, by Israel is a grave consequence of the long-standing policies of occupation, destruction, and annexation against not only the Palestinian people but all the peoples of the region," Kurtulmus wrote on X.
He expressed that individuals who continue to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite knowing that such killings violate international law, would eventually be held accountable.
Kurtulmus asserted that the fact that "genocidal Netanyahu" ordered the attack on Beirut in the UNGA is a "painful indicator of the collapse of the international security system."
The speaker stated that "Israel's" actions endanger the future of all people in the area and that the legitimate Palestinian resistance would continue until their demand for an independent state is met.
Kurtulmus paid tribute to "all martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Palestinian cause" and expressed his "condolences to the people of Lebanon and all supporters of Palestine."
