ANKARA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that he expects the International Criminal Court (ICC) would ensure accountability for the "butchers of Gaza," particularly Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking to journalists on board the presidential plane returning from Dubai, where he attended the COP28 climate summit, Erdogan emphasized the need for granting necessary punishments for those caught red-handed in the reported incidents in Gaza.

They will closely follow the proceedings in the Hague, Erdogan said, expressing hope that the decision would bring a sense of justice to those waiting.

Condemning Israeli actions in Gaza, he said: "This is state terrorism. We cannot stay silent against this state terrorism."

The Netanyahu administration's massacre in Gaza is etched in history as a “black stain,” Erdogan said, adding that the countries unconditionally supporting this are “stained as well."

The world will never forget the indifference shown by these states and international organizations, he added.

"Israeli officials, who have been known as victims of genocide, have now turned into killers of their ancestors," he noted.

The Israeli army resumed bombing the Gaza Strip early Friday after declaring an end to a week-long humanitarian pause with the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.

At least 178 Palestinians have been killed and 589 injured on Friday in Israeli airstrikes, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The humanitarian pause began on Nov. 24 as part of an agreement between Israel and Hamas to temporarily halt fighting to allow hostage swaps and aid delivery.

More than 15,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have been killed in Israeli attacks since Oct. 7 following a cross-border attack by Hamas.

Around 1,200 Israelis have also been killed, according to official estimates.