Massive protest in Istanbul denounces Israel's actions in Gaza

Tens of thousands of people has flooded the streets of Istanbul to express their condemnation of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and mourn the loss of Turkish soldiers in Iraq.

The Monday protest, organized by a foundation that includes Bilal Erdogan, son of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, among its members, gained momentum after morning prayers at Istanbul’s iconic mosques, including Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

Protesters, waving Turkish and Palestinian flags, gathered on the Galata Bridge over the Bosphorus, chanting slogans such as “Murderer Israel, get out of Palestine” and “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest).

The demonstration, themed “Mercy for our martyrs and a curse on Israel,” drew tens of thousands of participants, as reported by the official Anadolu news agency.

President Erdogan, a fervent supporter of the Palestinian cause, has vehemently criticized Israel for its response to Hamas’ October 7 cross-border attack.

Accusing Israel of “state terrorism,” Erdogan likened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler.

The conflict in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel, has resulted in a devastating toll.

According to official figures, around 1,140 people, mostly civilians, lost their lives in the initial attacks, with an additional 250 people taken hostage. Israel responded with a relentless offensive, claiming the lives of at least 21,822 people, predominantly women and children, and leaving vast areas of Gaza in ruins.

Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army reported 172 soldiers killed within Gaza, emphasizing the ongoing intensity of the conflict.

In a parallel development, the Turkish army disclosed that 12 soldiers lost their lives in late December due to separate attacks by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in northern Iraq.

The PKK, designated as a terrorist group by Ankara and its Western allies, frequently faces Turkish military operations in northern Iraq.

The dual focus of the protest in Istanbul highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, with emotions running high over Israel’s actions in Gaza and Turkey’s ongoing struggle against Kurdish militants in Iraq.