ANKARA/BERLIN
Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc has commented on the tragedy in Gaza, describing Israel’s actions as “genocide.”
Speaking on Wednesday, he said: "The latest incidents in Gaza are tragic – killing children; bombing arbitrarily; demolishing a city; targeting schools belonging to the United Nations, ambulances and hospitals. All these deeds are atrocities and brutal."
Arinc added: "It is state terror, a massacre. I know they [Israelis] do not love the word genocide, but there is no other word to describe Israel's deeds in Gaza."
Since July 7, at least 1,285 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed while 53 Israeli soldiers and three civilians have died.
Arinc also voiced concern over reports that journalists are being targeted by Israel. On Tuesday, the building housing The Anadolu Agency office in Gaza was bombed.
"There are some rules that are valid internationally,” Arinc said. “Israel, despite being aware of all these rules, attacked the building containing Anadolu Agency's Gaza office.”
Meanwhile, Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday urged an immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
“Everything must be done to avoid civilian casualties and to comply with international humanitarian law,” Steinmeier said in a statement. “We call on both sides to agree to an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and resume the path for negotiations on a long-term truce based on the Egyptian proposal.”
www.aa.com.tr/en
