‘Establishment of Palestinian state only way to solve crisis’

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Türkiye will try to stop the ongoing war between Palestinian resistance group Hamas and Israel as soon as possible, as he reiterated the importance of a two-state solution.

Speaking in a joint news conference with Austrian Chancellor Nehammer, Erdoğan said the ultimate solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only be possible with the establishment of independent Palestinian state with 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capitalç

He noted that he believes tensions will not end in just a week or two.

“That’s why we’re holding talks,” he said.

The president said he would hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss regional developments.

“Türkiye is trying to find how it can mediate between Israel, Palestine,” he said.

Gaza-based resistance group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and growing settler violence.

In retaliation, the Israeli army launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 765, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said Tuesday. It also said the number of injured surged to 2,900.

The Interior Ministry in Gaza said the Israeli army has “intensified its aggression” on Gaza with hundreds of raids.

The Israeli army said it had struck over 500 targets in overnight raids on Gaza, which they claimed were targets belonging to the Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups.

At least 900 Israelis have been killed and over 2,600 others wounded in the fighting, according to local media.

Source: AA