Turkey on Friday condemned Israel’s newly approved plan to take over Gaza City, warning that the move would mark an escalation in what it described as Israel’s “genocidal” campaign and calling for immediate United Nations action.
The statement from Turkey’s foreign ministry came after Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan early Friday that includes military control of Gaza City and relocation of the residents to camps in central Gaza. The plan includes the establishment of an administration that excludes both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority and is reportedly the first phase of a plan by Israel to take control over the entire enclave.
Regarding the Israeli Government’s Plan to Expand its Military Operations in Gaza https://t.co/diA235pajF pic.twitter.com/QsIPdsm324
— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) August 8, 2025
“We strongly condemn the decision of the Israeli government to widen its military operation in Gaza, which marks a new phase of its expansionist and genocidal policy in the region,” the ministry said in its statement.
“Every move by the fundamentalist Netanyahu government aimed at perpetuating genocide against the Palestinian people and extending the occupation deals a severe blow to international peace and security.”
The Turkish government warned that the plan, which has sparked global outrage over the humanitarian cost and alleged violations of international law, risks making Gaza permanently uninhabitable and aims to forcibly displace its population.
Turkey called on the international community, including the UN Security Council, to take binding action to halt Israel’s advance and to protect civilians. Ankara also reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire and renewed negotiations toward a two-state solution.
The Gaza Health Ministry says at least 61,258 Palestinians have been killed and over 150,000 injured since October 2023. Nearly 200 people, including 96 children, have died from starvation, with 12,000 children under five suffering from acute malnutrition, according to the World Health Organization.
Humanitarian groups report that aid drops are turning deadly and that access to food remains severely limited. Médecins Sans Frontières has called for the closure of US and Israeli-backed aid hubs, describing the conditions as “orchestrated killing” rather than relief.
As Israeli airstrikes continue across Gaza and plans move forward for the occupation of Gaza City, rights groups warn of an intensifying famine and widespread civilian targeting under what they describe as a man-made humanitarian catastrophe.