As the «enemy of oppressors and protector of the oppressed,» Türkiye stands by Palestine in its «struggle for freedom and dignity against the network of genocide,» Erdoğan said during a meeting in Istanbul held with local officials.

«The U.S., Europe, and the U.N. Security Council have become mere toys in the hands of a ruthless murderer known as Netanyahu,» he said, referring to Israel’s prime minister.

Pointing to the child death toll in Israel’s ongoing offensive on the Gaza Strip, he said, «20,000 children have died. Not one person has stepped forward to say, ‘this is shameful’.»

«Tens of thousands of women have died, and women’s rights organizations have not uttered a word,» he added.

«Some 175 journalists have died, and the international media does not care at all,» Erdoğan noted.