Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the nation following a weekly cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Türkiye, on April 6, 2026. Erdogan on Monday slammed Israel for undermining all attempts to end the Middle East conflict. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
ANKARA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday slammed Israel for undermining all attempts to end the Middle East conflict.
"The war that began on Feb. 28, unfortunately, continues to claim lives despite diplomatic efforts. The Israeli government continues to undermine all attempts to end the war," said Erdogan while he addressed the nation following a weekly cabinet meeting at Ankara's Presidential Complex.
"By keeping the Al-Aqsa Mosque closed, imposing the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners, expanding its occupation in Lebanon, and constantly harassing its neighbor Syria, Israel confirms and validates through its own actions that it is a country that thrives on tension," he said.
He also said his country would continue to pursue any opportunity to facilitate peace talks.
"We have drawn attention to the fact that as the war drags on, the fire could spread to other countries," the president said, adding that his government is accelerating diplomatic contacts.
"The illegitimate and extremely costly war for all of humanity must end as soon as possible," Erdogan added.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders, and civilians. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and U.S. assets in the Middle East. ■
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the nation following a weekly cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Türkiye, on April 6, 2026. Erdogan on Monday slammed Israel for undermining all attempts to end the Middle East conflict. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
