Erdogan accuses Israel of violating Gaza ceasefire, floats sanctions or arms embargo

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the United States and others must do more to push Israel to stop violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement, including the possible use of sanctions or halting arms sales.

According to an official readout of his remarks to reporters aboard a return flight from Oman, Erdogan says the Palestinian terror group Hamas was abiding by the agreement.

“As Turkey, we are doing our utmost for the ceasefire to be secured. The Hamas side is abiding by the ceasefire. In fact, it is openly stating its commitment to this. Israel, meanwhile, is continuing to violate the ceasefire,” Erdogan tells reporters on his return flight from a regional Gulf tour.

“The international community, namely the United States, must do more to ensure Israel’s full compliance to the ceasefire and agreement,” he says, according to a transcript of his comments shared by his office. “Israel must be forced to keep its promises via sanctions, halting of arms sales.”

Relations between Turkey and Israel collapsed during the two-year war in Gaza following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Erdogan has praised Hamas and been harshly critical of Israel.

Now, as efforts are underway to assemble a multinational force to oversee security in postwar Gaza, the prospect of a role for Turkey in the territory has raised concerns in Israel.