On Monday, Turkey issued a stern warning that Israel’s ongoing attacks on Lebanon were pushing the Middle East toward further instability and deepening “chaos.” The statement followed Israeli airstrikes that killed 356 people, including 24 children, in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health minister. This marks the deadliest cross-border escalation since the Gaza conflict began on October 7.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, is expected to make the Gaza war a central focus of his speech. During a meeting in New York with International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan, Erdogan emphasized that Israel must be held accountable for its actions. According to the Turkish leader’s office, Erdogan urged that “Israel must be held responsible for its crimes,” accusing the country of committing “genocide in Gaza.”
Earlier in May, ICC prosecutor Khan requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Erdogan echoed these concerns, accusing Israel of “planning further massacres” under the mistaken belief that no power could restrain them.
Erdogan stressed the importance of pursuing the genocide case against Israel at the ICC and ensuring that those responsible face justice. He reiterated that the perpetrators must be punished accordingly to prevent further atrocities.
