Turkey’s main opposition CHP says they stand with Palestinians

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Turkish main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on Oct. 7 stated they stand with Palestinians following Hamas' attack on Israel.

“Palestine is a country that has been seeking rights for a long time. We are always with the Palestinian people. We never want a war. International organizations must also step in within democratic standards to ensure peace and ensure the rights of the Palestinian people,” Kılıçdaroğlu said while answering the questions of the journalists in the Aegean province of Muğla’s Marmaris district. 

On the other hand, CHP parliamentary group leader and CHP leader candidate Özgür Özel on Oct. 7 said in a tweet that he “condemns” Israel’s attack on Gaza.

“I condemn Israel's attacks on Gaza, which caused the death of 198 Palestinians. It is our country's duty to lead the international community to bring peace to Palestine and the Middle East, to end the escalating tension, and to prevent any further loss of life,” Özel added.

What happened?

Hamas fighters began their attack at dawn on Oct. 7 with a huge barrage of rockets into southern Israel, giving cover to an unprecedented, multi-pronged infiltration of fighters into Israel from Gaza, a narrow strip that is home to 2.3 million Palestinians, according to reporting from Reuters.

Gunmen killed at least 250 Israelis in clashes, and escaped back into Gaza with dozens of hostages. More than 300 Gazans were killed when Israel responded with one of its most devastating days of retaliatory strikes.

An Israeli military spokesperson said operations were going on in eight areas around Gaza on Oct. 8, while Al Hadath TV cited the Palestinian Red Crescent as saying 18 people had been killed in Israeli targeting of two homes in Gaza's Beit Hanoun district.

Palestinian health officials said 20 children were among at least 313 civilians killed. Nearly 2,000 people were wounded, they said.