Even discussing claim of Israeli buffer zone in Gaza is disrespectful to Palestinians: Turkish president

ISTANBUL

Even discussing the claim that Israel would establish a buffer zone in Gaza is disrespectful to the Palestinians, said the Turkish president on Wednesday.

“Gaza belongs to the Palestinians. We do not recognize any decision-maker that ignores their decisions,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan told journalists on his return flight from a two-day visit to Qatar.

Erdogan also expressed Türkiye’s readiness to organize a peace conference for the Israel-Palestine conflict and serve as a guarantor nation, adding the condition: “As long as they genuinely want peace.”

Erdogan added that without the backing of Western countries, “especially the US,” towards Israel the current situation in the region wouldn’t exist.

“Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu is on the brink of waving the white flag,” he added.

Netanyahu will not escape the consequences of what he has done, he will be brought to justice and pay the price for war crimes he committed, said Erdogan.

Israel resumed its military offensive on the Palestinian territory on Friday after the end of a weeklong humanitarian pause with the Palestinian group Hamas.

At least 16,248 Palestinians have been killed and more than 43,616 others injured in relentless air and ground attacks on the enclave since Oct. 7 following a cross-border attack by Hamas.

The Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stood at 1,200, according to official figures.

• Israel-Palestine conflict
• Recap Tayyaip Erdogan