Gaza crisis needs ‘right diagnosis and firm treatment’: Erdogan

World leaders must end the crisis in Gaza by addressing the source of the problem and establishing an independent Palestinian state, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the World Governments Summit. (Supplied/WGS)
World leaders must end the crisis in Gaza by addressing the source of the problem and establishing an independent Palestinian state, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the World Governments Summit. (Supplied/WGS)
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Updated 13 February 2024
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Gaza crisis needs ‘right diagnosis and firm treatment’: Erdogan

Gaza crisis needs ‘right diagnosis and firm treatment’: Erdogan
  • Turkish leader refuted claims that the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack acted as the source of the crisis
  • Erdogan’s comments came as Israel, despite global outcry, gears up for a ground offensive in Rafah

DUBAI: World leaders must end the crisis in Gaza by addressing the source of the problem and establishing an independent Palestinian state, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said.

“We need accurate diagnosis to come up with the right treatment. If we cannot diagnose a problem at its source, there will be no solution,” Erdogan said during an address as the guest of honor at the World Governments Summit in Dubai.

“Without an independent Palestinian state, we will never be able to find a temporary solution.” He added: “Every step taken will remain incomplete unless an independent, sovereign, and geographically integrated Palestinian state is established within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

The Turkish leader refuted claims that the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack acted as the source of the crisis, highlighting the long Palestinian struggle against injustice and the expansion of Israeli territory since 1948.

Settlements on occupied lands in contravention of UN Security Council resolutions show that “Israel deems itself above international law and for many decades now, occupation, illegal settlements and massacre policies have been sustained,” Erdogan said.

The Gaza conflict is an example of what happens when critical issues are left unresolved, he added.

“Every outstanding incident that was not settled became greater in time, more intertwined into a gridlock and resurrected over and over again. Anything we sweep under the rug remains unsettled.”

Erdogan’s comments came as Israel, despite global outcry, gears up for a ground offensive in Rafah, where some 1.4 million displaced Palestinians have crowded in hope of finding shelter. The war on Gaza has so far killed more than 28,000 Palestinians, wounded 70,000 others, and flattened the enclave into a land of debris.

The Turkish leader urged the creation of an independent Palestinian state within June 1967 borders. This would achieve regional peace, stability and economic development, Erdogan said, calling for effective global governance, solidarity and cooperation “if we want to identify a prospective future for our world.”

Governments must support the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East amid funding cuts from some European countries, he added.

UNRWA serves “as the lifeline” for about 6 million Palestinian immigrants in Jordan Syria, Lebanon and the occupied lands of Palestine, Erdogan said. “I am making the call as a leader of a country that has opened its doors, decades ago, for Jewish immigrants escaping European incursions,” he added.

Turkiye is now treating 380 Palestinian patients and hosting 344 of their family members who were evacuated from Gaza, Erdogan said, adding that his government is following up on the application of international law in the International Court of Justice over alleged Israeli war crimes.

“We will never abandon our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We will never leave them alone and without hope,” said Erdogan, thanking South Africa for its activities in the ICJ.

On international challenges, the Turkish president said that a cycle of crises and tensions now defines the world, referring to the eruption of the Russia-Ukraine war as the world was reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The war has impacted the global economy by creating energy price inflation, food crises, irregular migration and new challenges, he said.

Erdogan called for global commitment, patience and collaboration to face these emerging challenges.

The Turkish president was among 25 heads of state taking part in this year’s WGS, which runs until Feb. 14, bringing together more than 85 international and regional organizations and global institutions, 140 governments, and global thought leaders and experts.

More than 200 prominent speakers are addressing global future trends during more than 110 sessions. WGS 2024 boasts over 4,000 attendees, as well as more than 23 ministerial meetings and executive sessions attended by more than 300 ministers.


Explosion occurs at Turkish oil refinery during drills

Explosion occurs at Turkish oil refinery during drills
Updated 53 min 52 sec ago
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Explosion occurs at Turkish oil refinery during drills

Explosion occurs at Turkish oil refinery during drills
  • A fire was quickly brought under control by the privately owned company’s own emergency crews

ANKARA: An explosion occurred at an oil refinery in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday, an official said, adding the situation was “under control” and there were no reports of any casualties.
Mayor Tahir Buyukakin told private NTV television that the blast occurred at the Turkish Petroleum Refineries company, Tupras, in Izmit provicince during “routine drills.”
A fire was quickly brought under control by the privately owned company’s own emergency crews and no request for help was made, he said.
Video footage from the site showed smoke rising from the refinery.
It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion.


Lebanon media reports strike on residential building south of Beirut

Lebanon media reports strike on residential building south of Beirut
Updated 05 November 2024
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Lebanon media reports strike on residential building south of Beirut

Lebanon media reports strike on residential building south of Beirut

BEIRUT: Lebanese state media reported a strike on an apartment in the Jiyeh coastal area south of Beirut on Tuesday, more than a month into the Israel-Hezbollah war.
The official National News Agency said “a raid targeted a residential apartment in a building in the town of Jiyeh,” where an AFP correspondent said a large plume of grey smoke covered the area.


Iran says killed eight militants since attack on police in province bordering Pakistan

Iran says killed eight militants since attack on police in province bordering Pakistan
Updated 05 November 2024
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Iran says killed eight militants since attack on police in province bordering Pakistan

Iran says killed eight militants since attack on police in province bordering Pakistan
  • Militants from the Jaish Al-Adl group killed 10 police officers during a raid in Sistan-Baluchistan province on October 26
  • Sistan-Baluchistan, which straddles border with Afghanistan and Pakistan, is one of Iran’s most impoverished provinces

TEHRAN: Iran’s military has killed eight militants in an operation in the restive southeast since a deadly attack last month on a police station, state media reported Tuesday.
Militants from the Pakistan-based Jaish Al-Adl group killed 10 police officers during a raid on October 26 in Sistan-Baluchistan province — one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent months.
Sistan-Baluchistan, which straddles the border with Afghanistan and Pakistan, is one of Iran’s most impoverished provinces.
It has long been a flashpoint for cross-border attacks by separatists and extremists, opposed to the authorities in Iran.
Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Shafahi said “a total of eight terrorists have been killed” since the beginning of operations in the province, according to the official IRNA news agency on Tuesday.
“Fourteen other terrorists have been arrested,” including key figures involved in the attack, he said, adding security forces seized weapons and ammunition.
Shortly after the attack in Taftan county, some 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) southeast of the capital Tehran, a report on the Tasnim news agency said four militants had been killed and four others arrested.
Late on Monday, IRNA quoted Guards ground forces commander Mohammad Pakpour as saying the attackers “were not Iranian,” though he did not specify their nationalities.
In early October, at least six people including police officers were killed in two separate attacks in the province.
Jaish Al-Adl said on Telegram they had carried out the attacks.
Formed in 2012 by Baluch separatists, the group is proscribed as a “terrorist organization” by both Iran and the United States.
 
 


Over 100 patients to be evacuated from Gaza, WHO says

Over 100 patients to be evacuated from Gaza, WHO says
Updated 05 November 2024
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Over 100 patients to be evacuated from Gaza, WHO says

Over 100 patients to be evacuated from Gaza, WHO says
  • The patients will travel in a large convoy on Wednesday via the Kerem Shalom crossing

GENEVA: More than 100 patients including children suffering from trauma injuries and chronic diseases will be evacuated from Gaza on Wednesday in a rare transfer out of the war-ravaged enclave, a World Health Organization official said.
“These are ad hoc measures. What we have requested repeatedly is a sustained medevac (medical evacuation) outside of Gaza,” said Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, adding that 12,000 people were awaiting transfer.
The patients will travel in a large convoy on Wednesday via the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel before flying to the United Arab Emirates, he added, and then a portion will travel to Romania.


Iran says two French detainees held in good conditions

Iran says two French detainees held in good conditions
Updated 05 November 2024
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Iran says two French detainees held in good conditions

Iran says two French detainees held in good conditions
  • In recent years, Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security

DUBAI: Two French citizens detained in Iran since May 2022 are in good health and being held in good detention conditions, Iran’s judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said on Tuesday, according to state media.
Last month, France’s foreign ministry said the conditions that three of its nationals were being held in by Iran were unacceptable.
“According to the relevant authorities, these two people have good conditions in the detention center and are in good health, so any claim regarding their conditions being abnormal is rejected,” Jahangir said.
The spokesperson was referring to Cecile Koehler and Jacques Paris, who he said were arrested on charges of espionage and will have their next court hearing on Nov. 24.
Jahangir did not mention the third French national detained in Iran. French media have disclosed only his first name, Olivier.
In recent years, Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.
Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests.