"We have been in close consultation regarding the Palestine issue, and today's meetings have reaffirmed the common stance of Turkey and Egypt on this matter. Since October 7, we have witnessed unprecedented developments in the region, marked by attacks on innocent civilians and a tragic loss of lives. We strongly condemn these acts. The central issue at hand is the continuous postponement of a fair and lasting solution in Palestine, as Israel deepens its occupation with actions such as illegal settlements, provocations in Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and arbitrary arrests.
Turkey and Egypt firmly believe that the only valid solution is the establishment of a sovereign, independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders, in line with the two-state solution.
At this critical juncture, we emphasize four key priorities:
⇒ It is imperative to prevent civilian casualties on all sides. Some nations are unjustifiably portraying Israel's indiscriminate reprisals in Gaza as a legitimate intervention. Such a distorted and inhumane perspective will only lead to more violence and further loss of innocent lives. We urge Israel to uphold international law and human values.
⇒ We are closely coordinating with like-minded countries to prevent the geographical spread of the conflict.
⇒ Restarting the peace process on the basis of a two-state solution is essential. Real security in the Middle East can only be established through peace.
⇒ We, as Muslim countries in the region, are working toward the establishment of a mechanism that will safeguard the survival of Palestinians and guarantee a just and enduring peace.
From the outset of the crisis, we have been tirelessly coordinating humanitarian aid efforts in conjunction with the Egyptian authorities. Our non-governmental organizations, including AFAD, the Red Crescent, and TIKA, have been actively mobilized. Turkey's public institutions and NGOs have a wealth of experience in addressing global crises, and we are resolute in leveraging this experience. We have been exploring ways to provide aid to the region since the crisis began.
Upon the instructions of our President, we dispatched the first plane yesterday, followed by the arrival of the second and third planes. Additional flights are planned. We express our gratitude to the Egyptian authorities, especially for their coordination center in El Arish, which has been instrumental in this endeavor. We are also in discussions with other countries to enhance the effectiveness of our collective aid efforts. The presence of the UN in the area further complements our collaborative approach, which is coordinated by Egyptian authorities.
The process of bringing aid from donor countries to Egypt is distinct from ensuring its transit through the border gate and delivery to those in need. Egyptian authorities are in close coordination with Israel on this matter, which necessitates serious negotiations regarding the conditions, timing, and protocol for opening the border gate. It is crucial to consider the ongoing conflict on the other side of the border. The Rafah Border Gate, as you may know, was bombed by Israel shortly after the outbreak of the crisis, resulting in its temporary closure. Egypt's historical role in the first and second Gaza sieges is duly acknowledged. Our goal is to effectively deliver the aid we have brought to the country in a suitable manner.
Regarding evacuations, we are working in close cooperation with Egyptian and Israeli authorities. There are approximately 300 Turkish citizens in the affected area, and we have successfully evacuated 30 of them. However, given the current closure of the border gate, our efforts are ongoing.
As of today, we have initiated discussions with Egypt and our other partners to explore the actions needed, both immediately and in the post-conflict period, to address these pressing issues."
