Turkey warns Israeli attacks on Lebanon could push region into chaos

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Sep 2024 23:29

The Turkish Presidency issued a statement on Monday, stating that Erdogan told ICC prosecutor Karim Khan that "Israel must be held accountable for its crimes."

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Municipality workers decorate the family house of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, the 26-year-old Turkish-American activist killed by the Israeli military, with Turkish flags, in the City of Didim, Turkey, Thursday, September 12, 2024 (AP)

The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Monday warned that "Israel's" attacks on Lebanon risk plunging the Middle East further into "chaos."

"Israel's attacks on Lebanon mark a new phase in its efforts to drag the entire region into chaos," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

It further called on the international community to take urgent action to halt the hostilities.

"It is imperative that all institutions responsible for maintaining international peace and security, especially the United Nations Security Council, as well as the international community, take the necessary measures without delay," the foreign ministry said.

"The countries that unconditionally support Israel are helping (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu shed blood for his political interests," it said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, where he will be discussing the war on Gaza.

The Turkish Presidency issued a statement on Monday, stating that Erdogan told ICC prosecutor Karim Khan that "Israel must be held accountable for its crimes."

Erdogan further told Khan that "Israel" was "committing a genocide in Gaza" and that it was "recklessly making plans to carry out new massacres, wrongfully thinking that there was no power to stop them".

"It is extremely important that the genocide case against Israel at the ICC must be concluded" and that the perpetrators face the necessary punishment, according to the statement.

In May, Khan called on the court to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Minister Yoav Gallant, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.