Erdoğan: Circle tightening around Netanyahu, massacre network in wake of ICC arrest warrants

Speaking during a press conference following the cabinet meeting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said: 'The circle is tightening around (Israel's) Netanyahu, massacre network' in the wake of the ICC issuing arrest warrants.

Türkiye is doing much more for Palestine, Gaza, and Lebanon-all currently under relentless Israeli assault-than "what is visible, what is being talked about," said the nation's president on Monday.

Reaffirming Türkiye's steadfast support for Palestine until the genocide stops and Gaza and Palestine are fully liberated, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the country will stand by "our brothers with all our strength and all our resources."

Türkiye has been among the countries that voiced "the strongest reaction" to Israel's aggressive policies from the outset, he said.

Erdoğan underlined that Türkiye has been actively working within the UN and other international organizations to implement measures aimed at compelling Israel to end the hostilities.

Stressing that Türkiye has raised awareness of Israel's brutality in Gaza at every international meeting it attended, Erdoğan pointed out that the country leads in humanitarian aid to Gaza, having sent a total of 86,000 tons of assistance.

He noted that during both the UN COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan and the G20 summit in Brazil earlier this month, he held meetings with numerous heads of state and government, where he consistently brought attention to the massacres in Gaza and Lebanon.

At COP29, Erdoğan said, he raised the issue of Israeli "barbarism" in Gaza alongside discussions on environmental issues, while during a subsequent official visit to Türkiye by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, "the main topic of our discussions was not only our commercial and economic relations but also the difficulties faced by our brothers and sisters in Gaza and Lebanon," he said.

The Gaza genocide was also discussed at last week's G20 summit, he said, "as well as the threat posed by Israel's policy of occupation and invasion to our country, our region, and the entire world, in all its dimensions."

He also reiterated Türkiye's determined efforts to unite the Islamic world to act "as one heart and one fist" against the Israeli government, cautioning that Israel's attacks, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, were expanding to Lebanon, Syria, and potentially other countries in the region.

"Even if some insist on ignoring it, an extremely bloody and dangerous war has been going on right next to Türkiye for 14 months," he said after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, referring to Israel's relentless offensive on Gaza, which has killed over 44,000 people since October 2023.

Expressing hope that the Palestinian cause will prevail, Erdoğan said that "at end of these difficult days," Palestinians will attain "salvation, peace, and tranquility, while the oppressors will lose."

"The tragedy of our brothers and sisters fighting for survival under bombardment in the narrow 360-kilometer area they are trapped in deeply saddens us, just like everyone else," said the Turkish president.

"The unconditional support given to Israel to continue its massacres by those who leave no room for criticism when it comes to human rights enrages us, just like everyone else," he added, underlining that this "hypocrisy" is ubiquitous, from the UN Security Council to international media organizations."

"(It) shatters our hopes, just like everyone else."

Erdoğan described arrest warrants issued last week by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as a "very brave step" toward holding them accountable.

"The implementation of this decision will be a litmus test of sincerity for countries that are parties to the Rome Statute," he said, referring to the ICC's founding document.

In a warning to Netanyahu, Erdoğan said, "The circle is tightening around you and your massacre network." He noted that many of the countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute have said they intend to implement the warrants.

- Oil exploration in Türkiye

On Türkiye's oil exploration, Erdoğan said drilling activities continued without delay in areas of the country cleared of the separatist terrorists. He said daily oil production from wells in the southeastern Gabar region has now reached 57,000 barrels.

"In 2024, we completed a total of 84 drillings, particularly in Sirnak, Hakkari, and Van. In these drillings, we discovered new reserves of 66 million barrels. In 2025, we aim to conduct 143 exploration drills. Türkiye's current daily oil production has surpassed 155,000 barrels," he added.

*He also shared details of Türkiye's efforts to combat climate change and the steps the country has taken so far. Emphasizing the significance of the Zero Waste Movement, initiated by first lady Emine Erdoğan, he said it had rapidly evolved into a global project.