‘2M are dying on other side of border’: FM Fidan condemns Gaza genocide

Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused Israel of committing crimes against humanity by blocking aid, targeting humanitarian workers, and preventing evacuations in Gaza. In a press conference held in Egypt on Sunday, Fidan described these actions as the “first phase of genocide” occurring across the border.

Israel’s closing of the border gate, targeting aid convoys, killing humanitarian workers, blocking the evacuation of the sick and civilians, and causing the decay of thousands of trucks’ worth of aid materials are crimes against humanity

Hakan Fidan

Urgent call for global action

Fidan emphasized Türkiye’s role as a leading provider of aid to Gaza and called for international attention to “genocide happening in Gaza.” He urged the global community to speak out against “Israel’s oppression” and called for intensified efforts to ensure aid reaches Gaza without obstruction.

“We will continue to fulfill our moral and humanitarian duties,” he affirmed, reiterating Türkiye’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people. He warned that everyone would be “complicit in this atrocity without immediate intervention.”

Diplomatic engagements in Egypt

During his visit to Egypt’s al-Arish port and the Rafah border, Fidan met with North Sinai Governor Maj.-Gen. Khaled Megawer and emphasized the urgency of international intervention. He specifically urged Western countries, particularly the U.S., to “break this silence” or risk complicity in the ongoing crisis.

Observations at Rafah border

At the Rafah Border Gate, Fidan witnessed how aid delivered by ships to al-Arish Port was being transferred onto trucks bound for the border. He explained that the Rafah Border Gate is currently closed to traffic and that trucks are being redirected to the Kerem Shalom Crossing. He described the crossing rate of about 25 trucks per day as woefully inadequate for the needs of the region.

Humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Fidan highlighted the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, citing the lack of shelter, water, medicine, and food.

On the other side of the border, we have 2 million brothers and sisters on the brink of dying from hunger, with no medicine, shelter, or food. They are dying in front of humanity’s eyes,

Hakan Fidan

He called for a unified response to end what he described as genocide and crimes against humanity, urging Muslims and people worldwide to take action.

Coordination of aid efforts

In Egypt, Fidan also met with members of Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Turkish Red Crescent. He visited the Egyptian Red Crescent Logistics Center to discuss the coordination of humanitarian aid being sent to Gaza, as reported by Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry on social media platform X.

Diplomatic talks with Egypt

Fidan’s visit marks his first official meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty. The two diplomats are set to discuss preparations for the first High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting, scheduled during Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s upcoming visit to Türkiye.