It has been 10 months since the incident in Gaza on October 23rd, 2023, but until now the conflict between Israel and Palestine has not subsided. This incident has attracted attention from various parts of the world, especially from countries that support Palestine, one of country is Turkey. Turkey plays a very active role in defending Palestine by providing various forms of support. One of the significant steps taken by Turkey is to limit the export of 54 products to Israel. The Turkish Ministry of Trade stated that this policy will remain in effect until Israel stops its attacks in Gaza and provides adequate access to humanitarian aid.
The restricted items include iron products, steel, jet fuel, construction equipment, machinery, cement, granite, chemicals, pesticides, and bricks. The move is part of international pressure in Israel to end the violence and open humanitarian routes to Gaza. In addition, both Israel and Turkey have recalled their ambassadors from their respective capitals, signaling a deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two countries since the war broke out.
Turkey has delivered around 40,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Palestine, via 19 aircraft and seven civilian aid ships. This aid includes basic needs such as food, clean water, hygiene, medical and shelter supplies. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized that this aid also provides for the delivery of 53 ambulance units, 1,551 generators, eight field hospitals, and 3,000 tents for Palestinians affected by the conflict.
Not only providing material aid, Turkey also plays an active role in providing medical treatment for Gazans. Dozens of patients were brought to Turkey for treatment, with the Turkish Minister of Health accompanying the patients during the trip. President Erdoğan also emphasized that aid deliveries will continue until the situation in Palestine improves. These steps show how seriously Turkey is committed to helping Palestine during times of crisis, focusing not only on emergency relief but also on long-term recovery efforts for war victims.
As of early September 2024, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has caused more than 42,000 casualties, with the majority of victims coming from Palestine. The latest report states that around 40,800 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed since the conflict escalation began in October 2023. In addition, more than 116 journalists and media workers have also been killed, most of them from Gaza. The conflict has also left many injured and thousands homeless due to ongoing airstrikes and military operations.
Keywords : Israel-Palestine war, Gaza humanitarian crisis, Turkey’s role
Author : Siti Latifah as an intern student from STIT At-Taqwa Ciparay Bandung in the Turkish Studies Center
under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Dr. Anwar Koma, Faculty of Political Science,
Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus
Reviewer : Dewi Indah BerlianaSources : CNN, Al-Jazeera, Anadolu Ajansi