Ankara: Turkey strongly condemned the killing of five International Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) workers in Israeli airstrikes while they were attempting to deliver aid to Palestinians in collaboration with the World Food Programme.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Turkish Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun issued a statement denouncing the Israeli actions. He accused the Israeli administration of systematic massacres in Gaza, targeting both young and old, and described the airstrikes as genocidal terrorism. Altun emphasized that the attacks indiscriminately targeted innocent relief volunteers who were trying to provide basic necessities to the Palestinian people.
Altun further stated that Turkey condemns the crime that subjects innocent people to hunger and thirst, urging the global community to voice opposition to the brutality and take decisive action. He expressed sorrow for the young relief volunteers who lost their lives and offered condolences to the IHH.
He reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to working internationally to halt the bloodshed of innocents and stressed Turkey’s resolve to hold those responsible for the Israeli actions accountable under international law.
The Istanbul-based IHH announced that five of its workers were killed over the past two days, with two others seriously injured, due to Israeli airstrikes. The workers were providing aid to Palestinians in cooperation with the World Food Programme. The agency released the names of the deceased: Mohammed al-Mobayed, Ahmed Bustan, Moataz Rajab, Ishaq al-Tayef, and Jamal al-Mobayed.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, the statement pointed out that Israel has been blocking humanitarian aid, including food, to 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza since March 2nd, as reported by the government media office in the Gaza Strip. The United Nations has described this as a policy of forced displacement. Israel has restricted aid distribution to specific areas, reportedly to pressure Palestinians to leave the northern regions of Gaza.