Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has raised the stakes in the ongoing conflict in Gaza by threatening military intervention in Israel. In a meeting with his party, Erdogan emphasized the need for Turkey to be strong in order to prevent what he described as Israel's mistreatment of Palestine. He drew parallels to Turkey's previous military involvements in Karabakh and Libya, suggesting that similar action could be taken against Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded strongly to Erdogan's threats, likening him to former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and warning of a similar fate. The exchange of heated rhetoric comes amidst escalating tensions between the two nations.
The U.S. State Department, the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C., and NATO have not yet commented on the situation or efforts to de-escalate the conflict. Erdogan's remarks coincide with increased aggression towards Israel from Iran-backed militant groups such as Hamas, Houthi, and Hezbollah.
While Erdogan did not provide specifics on what Turkish military intervention would entail, he has been a vocal critic of the conflict in Gaza. His reference to Turkey's past military actions in Libya and Karabakh suggests a willingness to take decisive steps.
In 2020, Turkey deployed troops to support the Government of National Accord in Libya during its civil war. The country has also been involved in anti-terror operations in Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region. Erdogan's recent comments have reignited tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has yet to publicly respond.
The longstanding animosity between Erdogan and Netanyahu has seen both leaders exchange harsh rhetoric, with comparisons to historical figures like Adolf Hitler. The situation remains fluid as the international community monitors developments in the region.
