ISTANBUL

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday called on the Islamic world to embrace unity and "hold tightly to our brotherhood" regardless of the ethnic differences.

"As the Islamic world, regardless of being Turk, Kurd, Arab, Persian, Asian, or African, Black or White, we must embrace unity and hold tightly to our brotherhood," Erdogan said at a Quran recitation competition awards ceremony in the capital Ankara.

The president called for unity "to heal our wounds, establish justice on earth, and put an end to the suffering of the oppressed."

Touching upon Israel's recent attacks on Gaza that broke the ceasefire deal, Erdogan said: "Emboldened by the silence of Western powers and becoming more reckless by the day, the Israeli government continues its policy of genocide even during Ramadan."

He reaffirmed Ankara's determination to do "whatever is necessary to end the oppression and genocide in Gaza as soon as possible."

He also reiterated Türkiye's firm support for Palestinians.