Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on the global community to honor its commitments to Gaza and ensure that the ceasefire is respected. Speaking alongside Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh during a press conference in Ankara, Erdogan criticized "Israel" for violations of the truce and stressed the need for a collective response.

"The Israeli government must not be allowed to violate the ceasefire," Erdogan said. He reaffirmed the importance of the world's "legal and moral responsibilities toward Gazans."

Reflecting on the heavy toll endured by Gaza, Erdogan noted, "Despite losing more than 50,000 martyrs, mostly women and children, Gaza did not surrender, could not be subdued, and Gazans did not bow down to the oppressors."

He urged the international community to intensify efforts to ensure compliance with the ceasefire and support Gaza's recovery. "As an alliance of humanity, we must work harder, especially from this point on, to ensure adherence to the ceasefire and to heal the wounds in Gaza," he added.

Erdogan reiterated Turkiye's support for a so-called two-state solution, stating, "Turkiye believes peace talks for an independent and sovereign Palestinian State with Al-Quds as its capital should begin as soon as possible."

President Khurelsukh, in turn, expressed Mongolia's gratitude for "Turkiye's efforts to establish peace on both global and regional scale." The remarks came during Khurelsukh's official visit to Turkiye, which included bilateral discussions and delegation-level meetings at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.

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Gaza's Health Ministry reported on Thursday that Israeli strikes had killed at least 72 people since the ceasefire deal was announced. Ministry officials noted that this figure included only bodies transported to two hospitals in Gaza City and warned that the actual death toll was likely higher.

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"Yesterday was a bloody day, and today is bloodier," said Zaher al-Wahedi, head of the ministry's registration department.

Ceasefire faces delays

Earlier today, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told RIA Novosti that the occupation was covertly working to stall the process of implementing a ceasefire.

His comments came after Netanyahu's office alleged that Hamas was violating parts of the ceasefire agreement and seeking additional concessions at the last minute. The occupation announced it would withhold approval of the agreement until mediators confirmed Hamas's full compliance with all its terms.

Abu Zuhri dismissed statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office as unfounded, noting they were aimed at obstructing progress.

"These statements have no basis whatsoever. They represent an Israeli attempt to slow down the implementation of the agreement," Abu Zuhri told RIA Novosti.

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On a related note, the Biden administration said it is optimistic about the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement by Sunday, despite delays caused by the Israeli occupation's approval process.

In an interview with CNN, Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer addressed potential challenges in implementing the agreement, stating that complications in such deals are expected, particularly "when there is literally zero trust between the two parties to the agreement."

Finer, however, expressed confidence in the timeline laid out by mediators and stakeholders. "We fully expect the deal to be implemented as described by the president and by the mediators, Egypt and Qatar yesterday, and on the timeline that was described," he said.

"What we're doing now is working through details of implementation."