Israel has recalled its diplomats from Turkey after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to the country as a ‘pawn’ and criticized the West for its role in the Gaza conflict.
Erdogan made these remarks during a public gathering in Istanbul, where he accused the West of creating a ‘Crusader War atmosphere’ and stated that the West is the main culprit behind the Gaza situation.
He also declared that Turkey would consider Israel’s actions as war crimes and intended to present Israel as a war criminal to the world. Erdogan expressed sympathy for civilian casualties in Gaza and called for an end to the siege on Gaza to allow the entry of food and medicine.
Following Erdogan’s speech, Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen announced the recall of Israeli diplomats from Turkey, citing the need to reevaluate the relations between the two countries.
Israeli Military Warns International Media About Safety Of Journalists In Gaza
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have informed international news organizations Reuters and Agence France Presse (AFP) that they cannot guarantee the safety of their journalists working in the Gaza Strip.
This warning comes amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment and siege in Gaza, which has been ongoing for nearly three weeks. The IDF states that it is targeting Hamas military activity throughout Gaza and that these operations are deliberately placed near journalists and civilians.
They also mention that their high-intensity strikes on Hamas targets could cause damage to surrounding buildings and that misfires from Hamas rockets could endanger people in Gaza. As a result, the IDF cannot guarantee the safety of journalists working in this environment, and they have urged news organizations to take necessary safety measures.
The safety of journalists in Gaza is a matter of concern for Reuters and AFP, and the Committee to Protect Journalists has reported casualties among journalists since the conflict began, with fatalities in Gaza, Israel, and southern Lebanon.
