Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described what is happening in the Gaza Strip as a “full-scale genocide” and held Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible.
Erdoğan made the remarks during an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier while he was in New York to attend the meetings of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.
Responding to a question about whether he considered what is happening in Gaza to be genocide, Erdoğan said there was no other way to interpret the situation. He described it as a “full-scale genocide” and held Netanyahu responsible.
The Turkish president reaffirmed Türkiye’s opposition to Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, pointing to the large numbers of Palestinians killed and wounded during the war.
Erdoğan also addressed the issue of the hostages held by Hamas, saying that the movement could not bear sole responsibility for what is happening and that the actions of the Israeli government must also be considered.
Erdoğan discusses Hamas and the war in Gaza
During the interview, Erdoğan said he did not consider Hamas a terrorist organization, describing it instead as a “resistance movement.”
The Turkish president pointed to the significant disparity in military capabilities between Israel and Hamas and criticized Israel’s use of its military power in the densely populated Gaza Strip.
Erdoğan also discussed efforts to end the humanitarian crisis, referring to previous statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about ending the war in Gaza and the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Türkiye describes Israel’s military operations in Gaza as genocide, while Israel rejects the allegation and says its military operations target Hamas.
