Title: Israel Warned Against Assassinating Hamas Leaders in Turkey amid Escalating War
Turkish President Erdogan has issued a stern warning to Israel, cautioning that the country would pay a “heavy price” if it expands its war on Hamas to target militant leaders living in Turkey or other countries outside the Gaza Strip.
Hamas leaders have often sought safe havens in Qatar, Lebanon, Iran, Russia, and Turkey. While Israel has refrained from pursuing them to avoid diplomatic upheaval, recent events have signaled a shift in strategy. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the Israeli spy agency, Mossad, to “act against the heads of Hamas wherever they are,” following a violent incident on October 7.
In response to Israel’s threats, Erdogan made it clear that Israel would face a formidable opponent in the form of Turkish intelligence and security agencies. He emphasized that Israel would be “doomed to pay a price which they cannot recover from,” and warned that the consequences of such actions could be “extremely serious.”
Amid the rising tensions, the Israeli military expressed regret over an incident involving a strike on a Lebanese army base that resulted in the death of one soldier and injuries to several others. The Israeli military clarified that the Lebanese army forces were not the intended target of the attack.
The Gaza Health Ministry also reported a staggering death toll, with over 16,200 Palestinians killed and more than 42,000 wounded. While Israel has confirmed killing over 5,000 militants, it has been accused of using civilians as human shields by Hamas.
Furthermore, as the war rages on, critical Gaza hospitals, like Al-Aqsa Hospital, are on the verge of facing dire conditions due to low supplies and road closures. Doctors Without Borders issued a warning about the decreasing levels of essential medical resources, highlighting the urgent need for support.
Meanwhile, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees revealed that nearly 85% of the Gaza Strip population, or almost 1.9 million people, have been displaced from their homes since the conflict began two months ago. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has reiterated the urgent need for a cease-fire on humanitarian grounds.
As the situation in the region continues to grow increasingly dire, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas.