Erdogan: The Zionist regime has once again proven itself to be a terrorist state

Israel’s “Zionist regime” has once again “proven itself to be a terrorist state that thrives on the blood and tears of innocents”, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

In a speech during a Ramadan iftar event held for cadets of the Military Academy in the capital, Ankara, Erdogan explained that Turkiye will continue to make diplomatic efforts to stop the massacres in Gaza, establish peace and restore the ceasefire.

He stressed that Ankara would stand against all “colonial and expansionist ambitions” facing the region.

“I want to state this very clearly and unequivocally: we will firmly stand against those who, with the delusion of a promised land, seek to drown our region in blood, tears, and oppression. Just like a century ago, those attempting to re-design our geography with the intention of invasion will find Turkiye standing against them,” he added.

READ: US bears direct responsibility for shedding of innocent blood in Gaza, says Hamas

He stressed that the Israeli officials responsible for the atrocities “will be held accountable for every drop of blood,” adding, “During these blessed days, we as Turkiye stand with Gazan innocents and our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We will step up our diplomatic efforts to stop the massacre, restore calm, and re-establish the ceasefire.”

At dawn on Tuesday, Israel resumed its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, with a major military escalation that killed 404 Palestinians and injured more than 562 others.

This attack is the largest violation of the ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US in January.

As a result of the renewed bombing campaign, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s testimony in a corruption trial was cancelled due to ‘security developments’, further delaying efforts to hold him to account on the numerous charges he faces.

READ: Israel closes main route from northern Gaza to south despite ceasefire