Erdogan slams killing of ‘brother’ Haniyeh in a ‘treacherous assassination’

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in January 2012 (photo: Mohammed Al-Ostaz / Flash 90)
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in January 2012 (photo: Mohammed Al-Ostaz / Flash 90)

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemns the strike on Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, calling it a “treacherous assassination.”

“It is a despicable act” he says on X, “aimed at disrupting the Palestinian cause, the glorious resistance of Gaza and the just struggle of our Palestinian brothers, and demoralizing and intimidating the Palestinians.”

Turkey hosts Hamas political officials, and insists Hamas is not a terrorist organization. Its Foreign Ministry condemned the attack earlier in the day.

“Zionist barbarism will not be able to achieve its goals as it has done so far,” Erdogan continues.

He calls Haniyeh his “brother,” and wishes that God bless him with “his paradise and beauty.”

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