Erdogan condemns ‘humanitarian tragedy’ in Gaza

LONDON (AA) – The Turkish president on Monday condemned the “humanitarian tragedy” in Gaza describing Israeli violence against Palestinian protests as a “genocide”.

At least 55 Palestinian demonstrators have been martyred Monday -- and hundreds more injured -- by Israeli army forces deployed along the Gaza border, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

“Israel is a terrorist state,” said Erdogan, speaking to scholarship students in London. “We will continue to stand with Palestinian people with determination.”

“We will not allow today to be the day Muslim world loses Jerusalem,” he said, condemning the “humanitarian tragedy, this genocide”, no matter where it comes from, “either Israel or the United States”.

The Turkish president added that a “big rally” would be held in Istanbul on Friday over the violence in Gaza.

President Erdogan also said that the Turkish Red Crescent would deliver humanitarian aid to hospitals in Gaza.

Earlier on Monday Turkey recalled ambassadors in Tel Aviv and Washington for consultations, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said.

Bozdag also said that Turkish government declared 3 days of mourning in solidarity with Palestine and commemorate martyrs.

U.S. President Donald Trump sparked international outcry last December when he unilaterally recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and vowed to relocate Washington's embassy to the city.

The embassy relocation coincides with the 70th anniversary of Israel’s establishment in 1948 -- an event Palestinians refer to as the “Nakba” or the “The Catastrophe”.

Thousands of Palestinians have gathered on Gaza Strip’s eastern border since early Monday morning to take part in protests aimed to commemorate the Nakba anniversary and protest relocating the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.