Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Israel’s ongoing military actions across the Middle East are triggered by objectives beyond national security.
On Tuesday, The Turkish President, Erdogan argued that Israel’s operations in multiple locations are part of a wider agenda that risks destabilizing the region. He accused the country of aligning with groups that view themselves as superior, warning that such actions could push the Middle East toward deeper crisis and economic instability that will take a very long period to recover.
According to Erdogan, recent attacks in Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon and most recently Iran, cannot be explained solely by security concerns. He suggested that ideological narratives, including what he described as “delusions of promised lands” and apocalyptic justifications, are being used to rationalize the operations. The Turkish leader also raised concerns over restrictions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, questioning why the site has remained closed for more than two weeks without clear legal grounds. Erdogan’s remarks come amid growing criticism from Ankara. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has accused Israel of carrying out politically motivated killings in Iran and worsening humanitarian conditions in Lebanon through continued military actions.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization reported that the conflict has had a severe humanitarian impact in Lebanon. According to its latest figures, more than 886 people have been killed, while 2,105 others have been injured. The crisis has also triggered large-scale displacement, with over 945,000 people forced from their homes. Among them are more than 132,000 individuals sheltering in hundreds of overcrowded facilities across the country and over 120,000 citizens of Syria along with Lebanese nationals have crossed into Syria, underscoring the growing regional implications of the conflict.
Reports shows that in Iran, there is over 1,440 deaths and 18,700 injuries. About 100,000 people have left Tehran, and between 600,000 and 1 million households are displaced, estimated to be around 3.2 million people.
The World Health Organization said access to health care is getting more difficult in crisis-prone areas, as some facilities have closed due to insecurity, while strict restrictions delay ambulances,patient referrals and medical supplies
Health workers have been caught in the crossfire where 8 have died in Iran since the war began on February 28. On March 17 in Kuwait, 2 paramedics were injured when shrapnel fell on an ambulance center.
On March 14 in Lebanon, 14 doctors, paramedics, and nurses were killed in two verified attacks. A total of 28 recent assaults on health care have brought about 35 injuries and 30 deaths.
The Afghanistan-Pakistan clashes have damaged 6 health facilities, the UN agency noted. On March 16, an attack on a drug rehabilitation facility in Kabul reportedly injured at least 250 and killed 400 people.
In Sudan, 11 attacks on health care have led to 114 deaths and 148 injuries. In the occupied Palestinian territory, 31 assaults on health care since January have wounded 21 and killed 3 personnel.
