Erdogan warns Israel may target Turkey after Hamas defeat

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday asserted that Israel would target Turkey if it succeeds in defeating Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Agence France-Presse reported.

According to a report on Turkish Minute, Erdogan, a consistent critic of Israel’s actions in Palestinian territories following Hamas's October 7 attack, has repeatedly voiced support for Hamas, describing the group as defenders of their homeland.

Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, the European Union, and other nations.

“Do not think that Israel will stop in Gaza,” Erdogan told his party lawmakers in Ankara.

“Unless it’s stopped … this rogue and terrorist state will set its sights on Anatolia sooner or later,” he said, referring to the large Turkish peninsula that comprises much of Turkey’s territory.

“We will continue to stand by Hamas, which fights for the independence of its own land and which defends Anatolia,” Erdogan added.

On Monday, Erdogan said more than 1,000 individuals from Hamas were being treated in Turkish hospitals amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, a Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity to Reuters, clarified that Erdogan was referring to Palestinians from Gaza in general, not specifically Hamas members.

The October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Militants also captured around 250 hostages, with Israel estimating that 128 remain in Gaza, including 36 whom the military believes are dead.

Israel’s offensive and bombardment in Gaza have killed more than 35,000 people, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.

[With information sourced from Turkish Minute]