Erdogan condemns in Egypt the "forced depopulation" of Gaza and calls for an immediate ceasefire

Egypt is taking swift action in order to establish diplomatic ties with neighboring countries amid the impending Israeli offensive in Rafah, a city where over one and a half million Palestinian refugees from Gaza reside in overcrowded conditions. Discussions regarding a potential new ceasefire proposal involving Qatar, the United States, and Israel have hit an impasse. Meanwhile, Egypt has bolstered its military presence along its border with Rafah.

Cairo is concerned that the offensive will force thousands of Palestinians to flee towards its border, prompting a potential agreement to accommodate the displaced population. As a result, Egypt has issued a warning to break a crucial security treaty with Israel. In response to this dire situation, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi held talks on Wednesday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to explore ways to prevent the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip.

Turkey has been actively involved in mediating efforts since the conflict began, even receiving 700 patients from Gaza, including those suffering from terminal cancer, with the assistance of Egypt. During a press conference with his Egyptian counterpart, Erdogan strongly criticized the depopulation of Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire to facilitate the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.

On his part, El Sisi has condemned Israel’s blockade against the entry of humanitarian assistance into the Gaza Strip and reiterated the significance of reaching a ceasefire agreement. Both leaders underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation to achieve regional stability.

Erdogan warned, “We will continue to stand in solidarity with Egypt. The international community cannot allow this madness to result in genocide,” referencing the impending Israeli attack on Rafah. While Turkey has denounced the Israeli offensive and labeled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “genocidal,” Ankara has not been directly involved in ceasefire negotiations. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most active nations in the region in providing humanitarian aid.

This visit marks Erdogan’s first trip to Egypt in over a decade, following a period of diplomatic estrangement triggered by Turkey’s support for the Arab Spring protests. After reappointing ambassadors and resuming diplomatic contact in 2021, both governments are striving to boost bilateral trade to reach fifteen billion dollars.

Egypt has also expressed interest in acquiring Turkish-made drones, which have proven successful in military operations in Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Libya. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently stated, “It is crucial for Egypt to possess this technology. We have an agreement to supply unmanned aerial vehicles and other technologies to Egypt.”