ISTANBUL

The silence of the West on Israel's Gaza attacks implies the approval of lawlessness around the world, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday.

"Being silent on Israel's lawlessness in Gaza is tantamount to giving the green light to other lawlessness around the world," Fidan said in a joint news conference with his Bosnian counterpart Elmedin Konakovic in the capital Ankara.

The inhumane attacks in Gaza are continuing, which is indeed a "source of shame," he said.

"In order to break down the resistance, mosques, hospitals, and schools are bombed, and we cannot keep our silence regarding those attacks," Fidan added.

"I am calling on Western countries not to be a partner in crime by keeping silent."

The complete silence of Western countries, which have an influence on Israel, about the brutality in Gaza is alarming, he stressed.

The messages conveyed at the recent of the Islamic Cooperation Organization and Arab League joint summit were extremely clear, said Fidan, adding that Israel's attacks should cease and a two-state solution must be implemented as soon as possible.

"We will follow the decisions adopted at that summit and we are determined to work for a permanent peace in the region."

The Turkish Foreign Ministry is making maximum efforts to coordinate with relevant institutions and ensure humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, Fidan said.

A total of 27 Gazan patients along with 12 of their relatives have been brought to Ankara, according to Fidan.

"We have been working in order to construct a field hospital in Gaza," he added.

For his part, Konakovic said of Israel's attacks on Gaza: "Today, they are bombing hospitals, schools and they are killing civilians just for the sake of destroying Hamas. This is not acceptable."

Bosnia-Herzegovina expect a two-state solution in the region, he stressed.

Since Oct. 7, at least 11,500 Palestinians have been killed, including over 7,800 women and children, and more than 29,200 others have been injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques, and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel's relentless air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.

Turkish-Bosnian ties getting stronger every day

Türkiye has strong cultural and historical relations with Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Turkish foreign minister said.

The bilateral trade level has hit $1 billion, said Fidan, adding that he hopes to see it grow stronger still to fulfill its true potential.

"During our talks, we touched on many topics, including but not limited to the fight against the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO)," he added, referring to a terror group whose 2016 coup bid in Türkiye was soundly defeated.

He added that he reiterated Türkiye expects more concrete steps from Bosnia-Herzegovina against FETO terrorists and that his counterpart responded positively.

Türkiye approaches all parties in Bosnia-Herzegovina in a neutral and constructive manner as well as supporting the country's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence, Fidan added.

Calling Bosnia-Herzegovina a key country in the Balkans, Fidan said: "The peace and stability of Bosnia-Herzegovina are crucial for all countries in the region."

For his part, Konakovic said the commercial relations between two countries have "really peaked" over the last two years.

"Since we have brotherly relations, we should develop our relations economically as well," he added.