Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged the Islamic world to respond to Israel following the recent deadly strike in the Gaza Strip. Speaking to lawmakers from his AKP party, Erdogan, 70, denounced Israel as a threat to “all of humanity.”

Addressing the Islamic world, Erdogan questioned, “What are you waiting for to take a common decision?” He emphasized the urgency of collective action against Israel, urging unity among Muslim-majority countries.

Erdogan continued his criticism of Israel, declaring that it poses a threat not only to Gaza but to the entirety of humanity. He reiterated his condemnation of Israel’s actions, accusing the country of disregarding international law and committing what he described as “genocide” in Gaza.

Furthermore, Erdogan directed harsh words towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling him a “vampire” responsible for the deaths of “innocent civilians in their tents.” He also criticized the Western world for its perceived complicity in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Erdogan strongly criticized America and European leaders, accusing them of complicity in Israel’s actions by remaining silent. He condemned the Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu, labeling him a “vampire” responsible for the deaths of innocent civilians. Erdogan’s remarks came as the UN Security Council convened to address a recent Israeli attack on a displacement camp in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of 21 individuals. This strike occurred shortly after another attack that claimed the lives of 45 people at a Palestinian encampment. Gaza health authorities reported that a second tent camp was hit by Israeli tank shells, despite being designated as a civilian evacuation zone. The Israeli Defense Forces denied targeting this area, located in al-Mawasi, west of Rafah.

Despite the harrowing scenes, Israel seems determined to continue the conflict, with a national security adviser openly acknowledging that the war with Hamas could extend until the end of the year. Tzachi Hanegbi, in an interview with Israel’s Kan public broadcaster, stated that they anticipate “another seven months of fighting” to dismantle the military and governing capacities of both Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad group.

Hanegbi’s comments come as Israel faces increasing international isolation nearly eight months into the conflict triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attack, with even close allies like the United States expressing concern over civilian casualties.

Defending Israel’s ongoing operations in Rafah, on Gaza’s border with Egypt, Hanegbi described the area as a “smuggling kingdom” since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007. He attributed every act of aggression against Israel to breaches of this border.

Hanegbi claimed that Israel now controls approximately 75% of the narrow buffer zone between Egypt and Gaza established as part of the 1979 peace treaty between the two countries. However, Egypt has voiced serious apprehensions about Israel’s offensive in Rafah, asserting that it jeopardizes the peace treaty.