Erdogan Says Hamas Is A Liberation Army

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that Hamas was not a terrorist organisation but a liberation group fighting to protect Palestinian lands and people. Speaking to lawmakers from his ruling AK Party, Tayyip Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire between Israeli and Palestinian forces and said Muslim countries must act together to secure a lasting peace in the region. Earlier, Turkey condemned the civilian deaths that resulted from Hamas' October 7 attack but also urged Israel to react in a restrained way. Accusing Israel of taking advantage of Turkey's good intentions, Erdogan said that he had now canceled a planned trip to Israel. Erdogan also slammed Western powers that have voiced support for Israel's retaliation against Hamas. Many of Turkey's NATO allies consider Hamas a terrorist group, and Erdogan's comments drew a swift rebuke from Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.