Ankara, Turkey – October 31, 2025 – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a scathing critique of Israel's military operations in Gaza during a joint press conference on Thursday with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, calling on Berlin to actively participate in international efforts to halt what he described as a deepening humanitarian catastrophe. The remarks came amid Merz's first official visit to Ankara since assuming leadership of Germany's newly formed coalition government in May.
The high-level meeting underscored the diverging perspectives between Turkey and Germany on the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Erdogan directly challenging Merz's prior statements in support of Israel. "I cannot agree with the German chancellor's earlier remarks endorsing Israel," Erdogan stated emphatically, highlighting the stark disparity in military capabilities between the parties involved. He pointed out that the Palestinian group Hamas "has neither bombs nor nuclear weapons, but Israel does," and accused Israel of deploying such weaponry in strikes on Gaza as recently as the previous day. Turning directly to his counterpart, Erdogan posed a rhetorical question: "Germany, don’t you see this?"
Erdogan's comments were grounded in casualty figures that have escalated dramatically over the past two years. According to Palestinian health authorities cited by the Turkish president, Israel's attacks have resulted in nearly 60,000 deaths, encompassing a significant proportion of children, women, and elderly civilians. In a subsequent clarification during the press conference, Erdogan updated the toll to more than 68,500 fatalities, predominantly women and children, with over 170,600 others injured since the intensification of hostilities in October 2023. These numbers align with reports from Gaza's Ministry of Health, which has been tracking the impact of airstrikes, ground operations, and blockades on the enclave's 2.3 million residents.
The Turkish leader framed the situation in Gaza as a deliberate campaign of subjugation through starvation and genocide, asserting that Israel "has always sought to subdue the territory through starvation and what amounts to genocide, and this continues to this day." He emphasized the urgency of international intervention, drawing parallels to other global conflicts. "Just as we want the Russia-Ukraine war to end, we also support an end to Israel's war on Gaza," Erdogan declared. "Türkiye and Germany are two key countries that can join hands to achieve this."
In his address, Erdogan outlined Turkey's diplomatic engagements and proactive measures concerning Hamas, which Turkey does not designate as a terrorist organization, unlike the European Union, the United States, and Israel. He assured that Ankara has "consistently taken the necessary steps" regarding the group, with the foreign minister, defense minister, and intelligence teams "working continuously to prevent any problems." Erdogan expressed readiness for enhanced bilateral cooperation, noting that his ministers have been instructed to engage actively with relevant parties. "We are ready to cooperate closely," he said, extending an olive branch for joint initiatives.
A central focus of Erdogan's appeal was the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where aid delivery has been severely hampered by ongoing military activities and restrictions. He revealed that Türkiye’s Red Crescent has been unable to dispatch food aid shipments to the Strip, while the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) operating in the area faces constant threats. Despite these obstacles, Turkey has managed to send over 100,000 tons of food aid to date, though Erdogan stressed that "it is not enough. Continued aid deliveries are essential."
Proposing a collaborative approach, the president called for the involvement of Germany's Red Cross alongside the Turkish Red Crescent to combat what he termed "genocide and deliberate starvation" in Gaza. "We need to end the genocide and the deliberate starvation by involving Germany’s Red Cross and our own Turkish Red Crescent," he urged, positioning humanitarian aid as a non-partisan imperative that transcends political differences.
Chancellor Merz, whose coalition government represents a shift in German foreign policy following national elections earlier this year, listened attentively but offered measured responses during the press conference. While acknowledging the severity of the humanitarian crisis, Merz reiterated Germany's historical commitment to Israel's security, a stance rooted in post-World War II reconciliation and shared democratic values. However, he stopped short of endorsing Erdogan's characterization of the conflict, instead emphasizing the need for de-escalation and a return to negotiations.
The visit itself marks a pivotal moment in Turkey-Germany relations, which have experienced strains over issues ranging from human rights concerns to migration policies and NATO alliances. Merz's inaugural trip to Ankara signals an intent to rebuild ties, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as energy security, trade, and counterterrorism. Bilateral trade between the two nations exceeded €50 billion in 2024, with Germany serving as one of Turkey's top trading partners.
Erdogan also reiterated Turkey's longstanding advocacy for a two-state solution as the viable path to enduring peace in the region. "I conveyed Ankara’s views to Chancellor Merz on preventing renewed atrocities in Gaza and stressed support for a two-state solution," he said. This position aligns with the official policies of the United Nations, the European Union, and numerous Arab states, though implementation remains elusive amid stalled peace processes.
The press conference took place against the backdrop of renewed violence in Gaza, where Israeli forces conducted airstrikes targeting what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described as Hamas infrastructure. Palestinian sources reported civilian casualties in these operations, including strikes on residential areas and displacement camps. The IDF has maintained that its actions are precise and aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, while denying allegations of genocide or intentional starvation.
Internationally, the conflict has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for ceasefires. The United Nations General Assembly has passed multiple resolutions demanding unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza, where famine risks have been flagged by agencies like the World Food Programme. Over 90% of Gaza's population has been displaced at least once since October 2023, with infrastructure devastation estimated to require decades for reconstruction.
Turkey has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of Israel's policies, hosting Hamas political leaders and providing substantial aid to Palestinians. Ankara's Red Crescent, in coordination with Egyptian authorities, has facilitated convoys through the Rafah crossing when permitted. However, intermittent closures and security checks have bottlenecked supplies, exacerbating shortages of food, medicine, and clean water.
Germany, meanwhile, has balanced its support for Israel with increasing humanitarian contributions. Berlin has pledged €200 million in aid to Gaza since the conflict's escalation and supports UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, despite controversies surrounding some of its staff. Chancellor Merz's government has also advocated for hostage releases and a temporary truce to allow aid inflows.
The Erdogan-Merz dialogue highlights the complexities of Middle East diplomacy for European leaders. Germany’s historical guilt over the Holocaust informs its unwavering backing of Israel's right to self-defense, yet public opinion in Europe has shifted toward greater sympathy for Palestinian suffering, fueled by images of destruction and reports from aid workers on the ground.
In closing the press conference, Erdogan expressed optimism about potential Turkey xanthan cooperation. "Türkiye and Germany can play a constructive role together," he said, inviting Merz to consider joint mediation efforts. Merz, for his part, committed to ongoing discussions but emphasized that any resolution must address security concerns for all parties.
As the leaders concluded their remarks, journalists pressed for details on potential outcomes from the visit. While no immediate agreements were announced, sources close to the talks indicated that working groups on humanitarian corridors and ceasefire monitoring could be established in the coming weeks.
The Ankara summit thus serves as a microcosm of broader geopolitical tensions, where alliances are tested against the imperatives of humanity. With Gaza's crisis showing no signs of abating, the onus falls on influential nations like Turkey and Germany to translate rhetoric into actionable relief. For the besieged residents of Gaza, the stakes could not be higher: survival amid blockade, bombardment, and despair.
