Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan: The most important issue Turkey is currently focusing on is the humanitarian corridor

Evaluating the Israel-Palestine war as it enters its 10th day, Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan stated that the Israel-Palestine conflict has never faced such a massive, traumatic situation before. Altınbaş University Rector Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan, one of the most expert academics on Israel-Palestine relations, stated that Turkey is primarily striving to stop the loss of human life.

He said that Israel's announcement, "Evacuate the hospital, I will strike within two hours," is a hair-raising situation and that this must be the primary focus. According to Erhan, who posed the question, "Is this not the point where humanity dies?", one must first remove these evils. Only then can you begin to discuss other processes. He made the assessment, "If you delay for two more days, perhaps 10 percent of the population in Gaza will die. The threat is not just an Israeli bomb. People are under the threat of hunger, thirst, or the inability to find medicine. However, we have not yet been able to grasp the gravity of the picture we are facing. Nearly two million people are under the threat of death." Stating that even under these conditions, people are debating whether Iran will be struck in a week or if a war will break out in Lebanon in three weeks, Erhan assessed the situation by saying, "Turkey is striving to prevent the tension between both sides from growing further. It is evaluating topics such as whether mediation can be provided for a hostage and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. But it appears that there is no possibility for Turkey, either alone or together with other countries, to make its voice heard by Israel today."

"THE LONG-TERM GOAL IS THE CLEANSING OF ISRAEL FROM PALESTINIANS"

Warning that the potential consequences of a ground operation could reach unimaginable points from a humanitarian perspective, Erhan stated that Israel has three goals in mind. He said, "One is the complete cleansing of Gaza from Hamas. Following that, making this region unusable by Hamas ever again. The third goal is actually the complete cleansing of Gaza from Palestinians." He stated that the long-term goal, as some ministers in the current Israeli government cabinet have openly expressed without any sense of responsibility, is for Palestinians to be transported by trucks to Jordan, Syria, Egypt, or Sinai, thereby ending the Palestinian issue.

"ISRAEL-IRAN TENSION DATES BACK TO 1979"

In his assessment, Erhan mentioned that the Iran issue is also being heated up, pointing out that the tension between Israel and Iran has been ongoing since 1979, the Iranian Islamic Revolution. Referring to a report published in the Wall Street Journal two days after the Hamas attack, he said it was stated that the Hamas attack was actually decided upon during meetings held in Beirut in August between Iranian officials, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, and Hamas officials. He made important reminders by saying, "There are also those who say that the deployment of naval forces by the United States and the United Kingdom is being done to prevent or repel a possible Israeli attack by Iran in the coming period through Hezbollah or armed groups affiliated with it in Syria. But let us not forget that this tension also has a conventional dimension. That is the nuclear dimension. Statements such as those by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu should not be forgotten."

"THIS CONFLICT COULD TURN INTO AN ALL-OUT INTERVENTION AGAINST IRAN"

Noting that the US has called for intervention in Iran both during the Trump era and under previous presidents, Erhan said there is a possibility that Iran could organize attacks on Israel as it has in the past through a number of armed groups affiliated with it in the region, via a proxy war. On the other hand, he noted that there is a risk that this suddenly escalating conflict could turn into an all-out intervention against Iran at an unexpected moment. Erhan concluded his words as follows: "What Netanyahu has desired for years is already a US-backed intervention in Iran. Especially an intervention where its nuclear facilities would be destroyed. Right now, he is trying to create this environment."