The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has publicly commended the Republic of Türkiye for its bold decision to sever diplomatic ties with Israel, describing the move as a courageous and principled stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people amid what the group has repeatedly referred to as an ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
In a strongly worded statement released on Saturday, Hamas expressed deep appreciation for Ankara’s firm stance, calling it a moral response to the “continued atrocities and systematic war crimes being committed by the Israeli regime against civilians in Gaza.” The group noted that Türkiye’s action reflects the kind of leadership urgently needed in the international community, especially from nations with historical and religious ties to the Palestinian struggle.
Türkiye, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has become increasingly vocal in its condemnation of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which have claimed tens of thousands of civilian lives since the conflict escalated in late 2023. Ankara’s decision to downgrade and ultimately freeze formal diplomatic engagement with Tel Aviv is being viewed as a significant geopolitical shift and a strong signal of disapproval from a major NATO member with longstanding ties to both the West and the Muslim world.
Hamas urged other Arab and Islamic nations, as well as all freedom-loving countries around the globe, to take similar steps by imposing comprehensive political and economic sanctions on Israel. The group emphasized the need for a coordinated and sustained campaign of pressure that would include the expulsion of Israeli envoys, boycotting Israeli goods, suspending bilateral agreements, and mobilizing at international forums to hold Israeli officials accountable for alleged crimes against humanity.
“The heroic stance by Türkiye should not stand alone,” the statement read. “It must serve as a catalyst for collective action by the global conscience to put an end to the massacres, sieges, and human rights violations unfolding daily in Gaza.”
Observers say Türkiye’s decision is likely to resonate across the Islamic world and further galvanize public opinion against Israel’s military actions, especially in countries where civil society and political groups have intensified calls for decisive government action in response to the crisis. Already, street protests and diplomatic pressure are growing in several Middle Eastern and North African capitals.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with humanitarian agencies warning of a full-scale collapse of essential services, mass displacement, and a rising death toll among civilians, including children and women. Despite repeated calls for a ceasefire, the conflict has shown little sign of abating, and diplomatic efforts at the United Nations have thus far failed to produce a binding resolution.
As Türkiye takes a firm stance, the ripple effects of this decision and the response from other governments, particularly within the Arab League, African Union, and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), many of which have been under mounting pressure to act decisively in defense of Palestinian rights.
