‘It is barbarism’: Türkiye condemns Israeli attack on Rafah camp

There are approximately 1.4 million civilians in Rafah and Israel attacked a tent camp in Rafah, which is home to around 100,000 civilians. In response, Türkiye issued strong condemnations and called for urgent intervention to stop what it described as a “barbaric” attack.

Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz emphasized the urgent need to halt the violence, stating, “We invite everyone with even the slightest sense of humanity to be on the side of law and justice and to stop this barbarism urgently.”

His sentiments were echoed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Spokesperson Omer Celik, who asserted: “We condemn it, Israel will receive the necessary punishment in court.”

The attack, which occurred today and involved the firing of 8 missiles on Rafah in Gaza, a region sheltering around 1.4 million civilians, resulted in the tragic loss of more than 40 Palestinian lives, including children. Hundreds more were injured as a result of the assault on the U.N.-owned tent camp.

‘We stand with Palestine’

Vice President Yilmaz’s condemnation was further elaborated in a social media post, where he denounced Israel’s actions as “brutal massacres against civilian populations.”

“Those who remain silent on this atrocity will go down in the black pages of history as accomplices to the crimes committed,” he added.

He called upon those who witness such atrocities to take a stand for justice, warning that silence in the face of such savagery amounts to complicity in the crimes committed.

“We will continue to stand by the oppressed Palestinian people with all our means,” reaffirming Türkiye’s unwavering support for the oppressed Palestinian people.

‘Israel will receive the necessary punishment in court’

Similarly, AK Party Spokesperson Omer Celik emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “We condemn Israel’s bombing of tents where displaced Palestinians live, setting innocent civilians on fire alive in Gaza.”

He vowed that those responsible for such acts of genocide would face justice in the courts and condemned any efforts to obstruct international action against such crimes.

“Those who prevent the international community from putting an end to these acts of genocide are complicit in this crime,” Celik stated.

The statements from top Turkish officials underscore the growing international concern over the escalation of violence in the region and the urgent need for concerted efforts to end the bloodshed and ensure the protection of civilian lives.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has caused nearly 36,000 Palestinian deaths, resulting in a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Pressure mounts on Netanyahu’s government to negotiate for hostages’ release, but conditions set by Hamas are rejected. International condemnation urges a cease-fire and war crimes investigations, while Israel asserts its right to self-defense.