Turkey has declared three days’ mourning over a deadly strike on a hospital in war-torn Gaza that killed hundreds, according to a presidential decree released late on Wednesday.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a fervent supporter of the Palestinian cause, has accused Israel of “striking a hospital sheltering women, children and innocent civilians” and urged the world to stop the tragedy in Gaza.
Israel and Palestinian militants have accused each other of the attack.
Erdoğan said on X social media platform that Turkey feels the “great pain suffered by the Palestinian sisters and brothers” deep in its heart. He said the three-day-long national mourning has been declared as a sign of respect for them.
Özlem Zengin of Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) said earlier on Wednesday that the national mourning would be declared in a presidential decree.
“It is important to show at what level we perceive this issue,” she was quoted as saying by the private NTV broadcaster.
Erdoğan on Tuesday condemned the strike as “the latest example of Israeli attacks devoid of the most basic human values,” in a message on social media.
Large crowds joined demonstrations in İstanbul and the Turkish capital of Ankara, shouting pro-Palestinian chants.
Israel has told its citizens to leave Turkey “as soon as possible” amid fears of reprisal.