Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticised Israel’s ongoing military operations across the Middle East, arguing that they extend beyond security concerns and are driven by broader ideological objectives.
Speaking on Tuesday, Erdogan stated that attacks in multiple regions—including Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon, and most recently Iran—cannot be explained solely as measures for national defence. He suggested that deeper motivations, including historical and ideological narratives, are influencing the actions.
“We all know that the purpose of the attacks… is not only about security,” Erdogan said, adding that concepts such as “promised lands” and apocalyptic beliefs are being used to justify military operations.
The Turkish leader also raised concerns over the continued closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, which he said has remained shut for more than two weeks. He described the situation as unjustified and called for respect for religious freedoms and access to holy sites.
Erdogan’s remarks come amid escalating regional tensions, with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accusing Israel of conducting “political assassinations” in Iran and contributing to a worsening humanitarian situation in Lebanon.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the impact of the conflict across the region has been severe. In Lebanon alone, more than 886 people have been killed and 2,105 injured. The crisis has also displaced over 945,000 individuals, with at least 132,100 people now living in more than 600 overcrowded shelters, while over 120,000 others have fled into neighbouring Syria.
The humanitarian situation in Iran is similarly alarming. Reports indicate that more than 1,440 people have died, with approximately 18,700 injured. Around 100,000 residents have fled the capital, Tehran, while between 600,000 and one million households—estimated at about 3.2 million people—have been displaced due to the ongoing violence.
The WHO warned that access to healthcare is rapidly deteriorating in affected areas, as insecurity forces the closure of medical facilities and disrupts emergency response services. The agency noted that the increasing scale of displacement and casualties is placing immense pressure on already strained health systems.
Health workers have also been directly impacted by the conflict. Several medical personnel have reportedly been killed or injured in recent attacks across multiple locations, including Lebanon, Iran, Sudan, and the occupied Palestinian territories. The WHO further reported multiple attacks on healthcare facilities, raising serious concerns about the protection of medical infrastructure during armed conflicts.
Emphasising the urgency of the situation, the WHO stated that humanitarian needs across the region now far exceed available resources. The organisation called for immediate international support, including increased funding and coordinated efforts to address the growing crisis.
It also urged all parties involved to pursue an immediate de-escalation of hostilities to prevent further loss of life and to ensure that humanitarian aid can reach those most in need.
