Foreign Minister Fidan We Completely Reject Israel s Intention to Fully Occupy Gaza
Foreign Minister Fidan: We Completely Reject Israel's Intention to Fully Occupy Gaza
Foreign Minister Fidan stated, "(We) completely reject Israel's intention to fully occupy Gaza; this plan represents a new phase of Israel's expansionist and genocidal policy."
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke at a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, held in El-Alameyn, Egypt.
Minister Fidan said, "(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s government has taken a new step and announced its intention to fully occupy Gaza. We completely reject this plan. This plan is a new phase of Israel's expansionist and genocidal policy."
Minister Fidan stated, "(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s government has taken a new step and announced its intention to fully occupy Gaza. We completely reject this plan. This plan is a new phase of Israel's expansionist and genocidal policy."
Fidan emphasized that, in response to this step, the Islamic world must act in full solidarity and the international community must be mobilized, saying, "In this understanding, as the Chair of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, we have decided to call the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for a meeting. We will defend international law and humanitarian values in the strongest possible way against Israel’s genocidal policies."
Minister Fidan added, "Palestine belongs to the Palestinians. Any effort aiming to remove Palestinians from their lands is null and void and doomed to fail. Turkey and Egypt will continue to stand against such scenarios (Israel’s Gaza occupation plan)."
Highlighting the vital importance of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, Fidan stated:
"So far, we have sent approximately 102,000 tons of humanitarian aid for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. I would like to once again express my gratitude here for Egypt’s close cooperation in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza."
Fidan noted that his visit began with a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, stating, "President Sisi generously shared his vision regarding bilateral relations and the region. Essentially, under the leadership of our President (Recep Tayyip) Erdoğan and President Sisi, Turkey-Egypt relations in the past 3–4 years have advanced to unprecedented levels in recent history."
Fidan said that bilateral relations have not only advanced in defense industry, technology, and trade but also in aligning views and strategies on regional issues, providing opportunities to find joint solutions. He added, "We also thank our leaders here once again."
Emphasizing that 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Egypt, Fidan continued:
"We are determined to further advance our 100-year diplomatic legacy based on mutual understanding and respect. We are making intensive efforts to strengthen the institutional structure of our relations. As you know, the first meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council mechanism was held last year in Ankara. Today, we had the opportunity to review preparations for the joint planning group we established to follow up on this mechanism."
Fidan drew attention to the continuing strengthening of economic and trade relations between the two countries, stating, "Our trade volume reached approximately 9 billion dollars in 2024. Our goal is, God willing, to reach 15 billion dollars. Turkish companies are making concrete contributions to employment and production with their investments in Egypt. We will also continue to work together in areas such as defense industry, transportation, and energy security."
Referring to infrastructure projects and reforms implemented in recent years, Fidan said, "These have transformed Egypt into an important model for development. As Turkey, we wholeheartedly congratulate this success and reaffirm our belief that our cooperation will further strengthen the regional peace and prosperity environment."
"We Will Continue to Work for the Rights of Gaza’s People"
Fidan drew attention to discussions with his Egyptian counterpart on Gaza, stating, "We discussed steps that can be taken to protect the people of Gaza, ensure unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and achieve a lasting ceasefire. In fact, we are in almost daily coordination on this issue. We appreciate the mediation efforts jointly conducted by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States."
Noting that Israel has persistently sabotaged ceasefire efforts despite all attempts, Fidan stated:
"The whole world now knows that Israel is governed by a fascist, militarist, and fundamentalist mindset. What needs to be done is for the international community to come together and defend justice and humanity against the (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu regime. Today, the Palestinian cause has gained a much stronger position on a global scale. In particular, public opinion in the Western world that supports Palestine has begun to exert greater pressure on their governments. No one, absolutely no one, wants to bear the cost and moral weight of standing alongside Israel anymore."
Fidan noted that the recent increase in the number of countries recognizing Palestine is the result of awareness created within the international community, stating, "Here, together with my valued colleague, the efforts of the contact group we are part of (the Gaza Contact Group) have also played a truly significant role. We consider this development extremely valuable and promising. Together with my dear friend Badr and our other counterparts, we will continue to work for the rights of the people of Gaza."
Emphasizing the key role of Egypt’s presence on the ground in alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and establishing a ceasefire, Fidan said, "We will continue to work together with Egypt to deliver aid to our Palestinian brothers and sisters."
"Turkey and Egypt Will Continue to Be Key Pillars of Peace and Stability in This Region"
Fidan highlighted that Egypt is Turkey’s neighbor in the Mediterranean, stating, "We also see it symbolically significant that today’s meetings are held in El-Alameyn, right across from our Mediterranean coasts. We want to see the Eastern Mediterranean as a region of stability and prosperity where the legitimate interests of all parties are respected and the principle of fairness prevails."
Referring to the strategically developed relations with Egypt in recent years, Fidan noted that they have also worked together on regional and African issues, adding:
"In today’s meetings, we had the opportunity to extensively discuss the files on Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, and Lebanon. We were pleased to see that our views largely overlap. We continue our joint efforts in Libya to ensure unity, cohesion, and lasting stability. We wish our Libyan brothers and sisters a prosperous future."
Fidan said, "Ending ongoing conflicts in Sudan and establishing peace in the Horn of Africa is likewise a joint aspiration with Egypt," emphasizing that Turkey supports Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Underlining the need for diplomatic and peaceful solutions to current problems, Fidan stated, "The bloodshed must stop immediately, and steps that could lead the country toward division must be abandoned."
Referring to the examples of Lebanon and Syria, Fidan noted that Israel does not only plan to occupy the West Bank, stating, "We also see that, in addition, Israel has long-term plans for neighboring countries, primarily Lebanon and Syria. We closely observe that these plans are either occupation-related or linked to weakening these countries and creating chaos."
Fidan highlighted that he and his Egyptian counterpart particularly discussed Israel’s expansionist policies, stating, "We considered what our region and the international community can do about this. We emphasized together that it is no longer just genocide but also Israel’s regional expansionism that poses a highly significant threat both to regional security and to the international community."
Thanking Abdulati for hosting, Fidan concluded:
"Turkey and Egypt will continue to be key pillars of peace and stability in this region. With this awareness, we will continue to work jointly and maintain our consultations. I hope that today’s meetings will take Turkey-Egypt relations to new horizons."