Türkiye’s Erdogan Warns US Against "Miscalculation" Over Gaza Plan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday warned that the US is making a "miscalculation" in the region, rejecting the "unacceptable" plan for Gaza recently proposed by President Donald Trump.

"Unfortunately, the US is making a miscalculation regarding our region. One should not be in an approach that disregards the history, values, and heritage of this geography," Erdogan told journalists on his return flight from the Pakistani capital Islamabad, where he concluded a three-country Asia tour, The Caspian Post reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

"(US) Taking the lies of the Zionists (Israeli government) seriously and interfering with the dynamics of this region will only exacerbate existing wounds," Erdogan warned, adding, "This is the wrong path."

However, he expressed his hope that Trump would keep the promise he has made before the election and work toward peace rather than starting a new war.

Emphasizing the flaws in Washington’s Middle East strategy, he strongly condemned any forced displacement of Palestinians-a reference to US President Donald Trump's proposal for the future of the Gaza Strip.

"It is absolutely unacceptable to approve this forced displacement. This would be a pure atrocity," said the Turkish president.

Regarding the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel, the president highlighted that so far, Hamas has kept its promises and has advanced the process accordingly. “As always, the side that cannot be trusted is the Israeli administration.”

The scenes of the prisoner exchange from Gaza, which has been under heavy blockade and bombardment for 15 months, demonstrate Hamas' psychological strength, Erdogan said.

“I don’t know how much longer the US administration will continue to spoil the Israeli government. We will also see how much longer the American people will bear the war costs of Israel, which is a black hole in their economy. The possible developments following the prisoner exchange should be closely monitored, and efforts to come together for peace should continue.”

"Gaza is a wound in our hearts. We are working tirelessly to alleviate the pain and heal the wound. Unfortunately, the Islamic world has yet to take collective action on this issue,” said the Turkish leader.