The press conference was held at IHH’s headquarters and attracted significant media attention. Bülent Yıldırım began the conference, stating that 11 IHH workers had been martyred since October 7, 2023: “But the highest number of martyrs in a single incident happened in this recent attack. The car was deliberately targeted. Their aim is to stop humanitarian assistance. We are providing 180,000 meals daily in Gaza. This worries Israel. Since October 7, 2023, 452 aid workers have been martyred. According to the Geneva Convention, when any place in the world is under blockade, international organizations are obligated to deliver aid there. Until now, states should have ended the blockade by military means both on land and sea. This is what international treaties demand. If you weren’t going to enforce it, then why did you sign it in the first place? What more needs to happen for you to act? How many more women and children have to die?”
“I call on all Jews around the world to take responsibility”
Yıldırım called on Jews in Türkiye to oppose Israel’s oppression: “Let them tell Israel, ‘You are killing so many women and children, what are you doing?’ Let them question Netanyahu. I call on all Jews around the world to take responsibility. Hold press conferences and do not become accomplices in this crime. To my friends in Gaza who are listening to me. Don’t worry, we are with you. We will stand with you until the end. One day, we will walk freely in those lands with you. On that day, Netanyahu will be gone.”
“We will not abandon our brothers and sisters in Gaza”
Yıldırım emphasized that IHH has been working tirelessly for Gaza since October 7, 2023: “We are delivering aid to both northern and southern Gaza. Despite Israel and their supporters, we will not leave our Gazan brothers and sisters alone. We’ve attended many international organization meetings. We saw how what were said in those meetings are not being implemented. These attacks will not deter us. You will see, with God’s permission, the reaction of the Turkish people, the government, and political parties will strike Israel like a slap in the face. Israel has actually attacked Türkiye. They killed Turkish people on the Mavi Marmara. They’ve killed people who supported them since the Ottoman times. And if that wasn’t enough—they also attacked an organization founded by the Turkish people. So, Israel has, in fact, declared war on Türkiye and the world. But one day, a new Salahadeen will emerge, one day a Baybars will rise again.”
“Countries must establish military cooperation to open a humanitarian corridor”
Yıldırım continued: “I remind everyone once again: All countries must fulfill their obligations under international treaties and establish military cooperation to open a humanitarian corridor. If states do not do this, they will bear a great moral burden. I especially call on Islamic countries and European nations: Deliver aid by sea, air, and land. Meet the needs of women and children.”
“Let’s protest in such a way that Tel Aviv hears it”
Yıldırım announced that a march will be held on Sunday, June 1, marking the anniversary of the Mavi Marmara attack: “The anniversary of the Mavi Marmara attack is on May 31. But since May 31 falls on a Saturday, we planned our protest for Sunday. On Sunday, June 1, at 2:00 PM, we will march from Fatih Mosque to Hagia Sophia Mosque. We expect support from all of our people. Israel must not assume it can kill Turkish people like in Mavi Marmara and that we will remain silent and won’t even take to the streets. On Sunday, let’s make our voices heard in Tel Aviv. Don’t go on picnics or vacations that day—let’s march with huge crowds. Once again, I pray for mercy upon our martyrs.”
“Every time a ceasefire is discussed, Israel intensifies its attacks”
IHH Vice President Emre Kaya stated: “The whole world is hoping for a ceasefire in Gaza. But every time a ceasefire is discussed, Israel increases its attacks. Last night, children in Gaza who heard rumors of a possible ceasefire took to the streets in joy. Upon seeing this, Israel launched attacks again. Even as we are holding this press conference, Israel is escalating its aggression. Israel and the U.S. are supposedly managing a humanitarian aid process, but they even fired at people who came to receive aid. As IHH, we are making significant efforts to coordinate aid inside Gaza. We not only distributed aid in coordination with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), but we also brought together Gaza’s local leaders with WFP officials. We set up tents and made efforts to ensure that aid delivery is carried out smoothly, with local leaders calming their communities and ensuring that aid is not looted.”
“90% of Gaza destroyed”
IHH Board of Trustees Member İzzet Şahin stated that over 54,000 innocent civilians have been killed and more than 120,000 severely injured in Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza. Şahin said: “The vast majority of the martyrs are children, women, the elderly, healthcare workers, and journalists. Because of the attacks, 90% of Gaza has been destroyed. 454,000 homes have become uninhabitable. Water networks, infrastructure lines, electricity grids, roads, and streets have been destroyed by Israeli bulldozers. Occupying forces rendered 43 hospitals unusable and demolished 500 educational institutions, depriving 800,000 students of education. The apartheid regime has demolished 1,000 mosques, and now the call to prayer is no longer heard in the region. These attacks have orphaned approximately 40,000 children and wiped out 7,000 families entirely.”
