Erdogan says Hamas 'is not a terror group', calls it a 'patriotic organization that defends its territory and people'.
He also added that countries outside the region 'adding fuel to fire' in name of support to Israel, says Turkish President Erdogan
Erdogan also slammed Western powers for supporting Israel's bombing of Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire, the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and for Muslim countries to work together to stop the violence.
"The perpetrators of the massacre and the destruction taking place in Gaza are those providing unlimited support for Israel," Erdogan said. "Israel's attacks on Gaza, for both itself and those supporting them, amount to murder and mental illness."
Israel rejected Erdogan's description of Hamas, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat calling the group "a despicable terrorist organisation".
"Even the Turkish president's attempt to defend the terrorist organisation and his inciting words will not change the horrors that the whole world has seen," Haiat wrote on social media platform X.
Erdogan's comments also drew a swift rebuke from Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who said they were "grave and disgusting and did not help with de-escalation". He urged Italy's foreign minister to lodge a formal protest with Ankara.
