A blast rocked the Al Ahli Baptist Hospital in the Gaza Strip last night (October 17), claiming the lives of nearly 500 civilians. Despite no party claiming responsibility for the attack, swift political reactions followed suit, along with protest demonstrations sprouting across various Turkish cities.
The Gaza hospital massacre has stirred significant outrage. Leading the charge was President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who decried the assault on a hospital housing women and children as “the latest illustration of Israel’s relentless attacks, devoid of even the most fundamental humanitarian values.” In a call to action, he penned, “I invite all humanity to take action to stop this unprecedented brutality in Gaza.”
All parties within the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) jointly denounced Israel in a joint statement. The AKP, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the Good Party, and the Green Left Party united in their condemnation of the Gaza hospital attack, writing:
“Today, we express profound dismay over the loss of hundreds of Palestinians and the injuries sustained by many others following the targeting of a hospital in Gaza. We strongly denounce these barbaric attacks…. It is inevitable that a mindset that directly targets civilians, striking hospitals and schools, will be held accountable under international law and in the court of conscience.”
AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik took to his X(Twitter) account to condemn the state of Israel.
In a post, TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş pledged continued resistance “against disproportionate and all forms of inhumane, morally bankrupt, and barbaric attacks on Gaza.” He implored, “How long will we remain silent as this grave crime engulfs the world step by step, eroding our humanity second by second?”
AKP Istanbul Provincial Chairman, Osman Nuri Kabaktepe, declared an ongoing hostilities as “genocide”, emphasizing the inevitability of “punishment for the oppressors’ atrocities, as it has been the case throughout history.”
Communications Director Fahrettin Altun reiterated the condemnation of Israel’s attacks on civilians in Gaza and extended condolences to the deceased, along with wishes for a speedy recovery for the wounded.
Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca also condemned the attack on healthcare workers and civilians, stressing the urgent need for humanity to respond to Gaza’s call.
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CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu condemned Israel for committing a crime against humanity, labeling the attack “murder.”
Meral Akşener, the leader of the İYİ Party, echoed condemnation of the attack, asserting that Israel’s declared war on terrorism had morphed into a state of terror under Netanyahu’s leadership.
Ahmet Davutoğlu, the leader of the Future Party, denounced Israel’s actions as a war crime and a massacre, unequivocally declaring his unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.
Saadet Party Chairman Temel Karamollaoğlu, denouncing Israel as having an “insatiable thirst for blood and brutality”, admonished the world for its complicity in the ongoing crime.
Ali Babacan, the leader of the Democracy and Progress (DEVA) Party, categorized the attack as a war crime and held accountable anyone who turned a blind eye to the humanitarian atrocities in Gaza.
The Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) condemned the attack, emphasizing the need to safeguard journalists, who strive to ensure the public’s right to information, and called upon the United Nations to take proactive measures to shield them during conflicts.
Widespread protest across the country
Widespread protest demonstrations erupted across various cities in Turkey in response to the massacre at El Ahli Baptist Hospital.
In Istanbul, protesters converged in front of the Israeli consulate building in Beşiktaş district, vehemently opposing the Israeli assault. The Istanbul Governorship reported 63 injuries and one fatality.
Simultaneously, thousands of people gathered outside the Israeli Embassy in Ankara, attempting to gain entry but were met with resistance from the police.
Due to the protests, Atatürk Boulevard and Iran Street were temporarily closed to traffic. As the crowd persisted, the police intervened, resorting to the use of pepper gas.
