People are being killed under the guise of aid

Referring to the Gaza Humanitarian Aid Foundation established by the US and Israel, Şahin said:

 “They forced people into wire corridors. People risked their lives to enter and received a package of aid. Since this practice started, more than 600 Gazans have lost their lives. They show a sack of food and place snipers around to massacre people. To prevent this from happening again, we call on all military forces in our country and in the Islamic world to take action. Open those gates, ensure that aid enters and is distributed safely. Otherwise, how much longer can this ummah bear such humiliation?”

“Aren’t the people who support Israel feel any shame?”

Şahin continued:

 “Despite all these massacres, despite knowing that the weapons and bombs they supply would rain down on civilians, there are still countries, especially the US, that continue to provide military and other supports to Israel. Have they no shame when they face their children and their people? What would they do if these attacks were carried out on their own families, their own cities? What would they do if their lands were blockaded for 20 years? Wouldn’t they defend their own territories if they were occupied?”

“Countries involved must withdraw from the Abraham Accords”

Şahin further said:

 “Right after the ceasefire in the Israel-Iran war, the US President said: ‘Some countries have expressed their desire to join the Abraham Accords.’ A few days later, billboards appeared in Tel Aviv showing pictures of many Arab leaders. Those who have already signed these agreements and those who have made this mistake must withdraw immediately. And those newly mentioned must clearly declare their stance. When has Israel ever honored an agreement in its history? How many hundreds of resolutions have been issued at the UN Security Council? Which ones has Israel implemented? Israel attacks Iran and at the same time as if it threatens others by saying ‘I will do the same to you.’ They call this the ‘Abraham protection,’ meaning they want to neutralize you, disarm you, and weaken you for their own protection. Even if they agree, will Israel not attack them? They just signed an agreement with Lebanon—aren’t they still bombing Lebanon every day?”

“A peace force should be established to protect Gazans”

Şahin stated that they expect international organizations, especially the International Criminal Court, to stand firm and pursue the cases to the end, saying:

 “Otherwise, it means they are in denial. Diplomatic efforts have lost their meaning. ‘We will go and talk here and there, gather foreign ministers, talk and talk’—none of this has any value anymore. A peace force from each Islamic country, starting with the Turkish military, should go and be stationed in Gaza to protect these people. There is something called humanitarian intervention in international law. We saw this example in Bosnia. What needs to happen in Gaza for this to be implemented? Should all the people be wiped out? A recent report from Gaza says there are no graves left to bury the dead.”

“The apathy of surrounding countries makes Israel appear strong”

Şahin added:

 “We are urging the members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other countries: Cut all relations with Israel. Close your embassies. If they have ambassadors, expel them. Close your airspaces. Close your seas and land borders. Let them see what a blockade is. Israel’s strength is not real. What makes it strong is the indifference of its surrounding countries.”

“Gaza continues to be bombed”

Speaking after Şahin, IHH Secretary General Ahmet Göksun said:

 “The greatest support one can individually give Gaza is not to forget. Forgetting causes massacres to be repeated. They wanted Gaza to be forgotten. As you know, there was a 12-day war. Israel attacked Iran and faced a serious response. Finally, the whole world moved, and this war was stopped in 12 days. The main reason that the war ended is that, for the first time since October 7, the Israeli people experienced in 12 days a small part of what they had made others suffer. Finally, within 12 days, the war ended. But during that war and even today, Gaza continues to be bombed, and civilians, women, and children continue to be massacred.”

“What needs to be done is to impose sanctions on Israel”

Göksun reminded that IHH’s health clinics and soup kitchens were bombed and their staff martyred:

 “We identified 274 of our orphan children who have been martyred. Inside Gaza, 454,000 buildings were destroyed. Even if the war stops today, rebuilding Gaza may take more than 10 years. Just as states managed to stop the Iran-Israel war in 12 days, they must do everything in their power to stop the massacres in Gaza. They owe this to humanity. People of conscience around the world have mobilized. These people took action so that the massacres in Gaza would stop. And these communities are calling on their governments, saying, ‘Do something and stop the massacres in Gaza.’ What needs to be done is not to hold more meetings, nor condemn, nor read press statements. What needs to be done is to impose serious sanctions on Israel, end the occupation, and ensure the safe passage of aid into Gaza. This is what we expect from states. Open the gates, and we are ready to do many times more in humanitarian aid than we have done so far.”

“Ceasefire must be established immediately”

IHH Vice President responsible for Foreign Affairs Emre Kaya said:

 “Almost everyone in Gaza is saying: ‘Not even an hour from now, but right this moment, a ceasefire must be established.’ From the baby in the cradle to the oldest person, no one in Gaza has a safe place left. Everywhere is a pile of rubble. Gazans don’t even have sidewalks left to sit on. International organizations can no longer deliver aid to Gaza. Every time a ceasefire is discussed, Israel attacks more ferociously. When we speak with Gazans, they say there is no decrease in Israel’s attacks. A so-called Gaza Humanitarian Aid Foundation was established by the US and Israel. They massacred hundreds of people while distributing aid. Previously, when aid entered Gaza, it could be delivered to those in need within a certain coordination. But now, they have increased the atmosphere of insecurity even more. UN agencies and international aid organizations inside are facing serious difficulties in coordinating and distributing aid. The reason for all this is Israel’s method of implementing humanitarian aid in Gaza. Once again, I want to emphasize that the biggest need in Gaza is to establish a ceasefire as soon as possible.”

The press conference ended after these statements were made.