Erdogan: US and Europe are not doing enough to pressure Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza

(Patria) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Sunday that the United States and European countries are not doing enough to pressure Israel to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza, after Hamas accepted a truce proposal, Reuters reported.

Turkey has condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire, and criticized what it calls the West's unconditional support for Israel. Ankara has halted all trade with Israel and announced its decision to join South Africa's initiative to try Israel for genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Addressing Muslim scholars in Istanbul, Erdogan said that Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal by Qatar and Egypt as "a step towards a permanent ceasefire," but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government does not want the war to end.

"The response of Netanyahu's government was an attack on innocent people in Rafah," he said.

"It has become clear who is on the side of peace and dialogue, and who wants the continuation of conflict and more bloodshed. And has Netanyahu seen any serious reaction for his spoiled behavior? No. Neither Europe nor America has shown a reaction that would force Israel to a ceasefire," Erdogan said.

Erdogan's intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, met with Hamas leaders in Doha on Sunday to discuss ceasefire negotiations and humanitarian aid access to Gaza, a Turkish security source said.

Ankara welcomed the United Nations General Assembly's support on Friday for Palestine's bid to become a full UN member. Erdogan on Sunday called on countries that do not recognize a sovereign Palestinian state to do so after the vote, but condemned Washington and others who voted against.

"We have seen that countries that lecture us on human rights and freedoms at every opportunity openly support those who massacred 35,000 residents of Gaza," Erdogan said.

"We have seen that those who, until yesterday, said the right to protest is sacred cannot tolerate demonstrations in support of Palestine," he added.