Erdogan: Turkiye rejects 'buffer zone' plan for Gaza

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) is welcomed by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani (R) in Doha, Qatar on December 04, 2023 [Murat Kula/Anadolu Agency]

Turkiye rejects plans to establish a buffer zone in Gaza after the fighting in the enclave is over, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was cited as saying today, adding that such a plan was “disrespectful” to Palestinians, Reuters reports.

Recent news reports have indicated that Israel had conveyed plans for the buffer zone to several Arab states and Turkiye.

Speaking to reporters on a flight returning from Qatar, Erdogan said Gaza’s future after the war would be decided by Palestinian people and that Israel must return the territories it occupies, according to broadcaster Haberturk and others.

He also said Western support for Israel, namely from the United States, had caused the current situation in the region, and warned Israel against hunting down Hamas members in Turkiye, saying Israel would pay a very heavy price for this.

READ: Turkiye President, Qatar Emir discuss ongoing Israel attacks in Gaza

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