Israeli Foreign Minister's statement on Turkey: 'We do not want to face off'
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar made statements regarding the current agenda. Evaluating the possibility of Turkey and Israel facing off in Syria, Saar stated that they do not want this possibility to materialize. Saar expressed that Israel does not want to face off with Turkey in Syria or anywhere else.
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Speaking at a joint press conference in West Jerusalem with European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, who is visiting Israel, Saar emphasized that they do not want to face off with Turkey. Saar also made a statement regarding the possibility of peace in Gaza, setting the release of all hostages and the laying down of arms by Hamas as conditions for the war to end.
Noting that Israel has accepted the Gaza ceasefire proposal from US President Donald Trump's Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Saar argued that Hamas has not accepted the agreement. Saar claimed that ''the war could end tomorrow with the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, the demilitarization of Gaza, and the withdrawal of armed elements of Hamas and Islamic Jihad from there.''
Stating that the EU is Israel's primary trading partner, Saar noted that they ''share common values, interests, and in part a painful shared history, and that they experience disagreements from time to time.'' Saar stated that Israel is a strategic asset for the EU, claiming that ''the war they are waging in the region against Iran, the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah is for Western civilization.''
US President Donald Trump announced that his country will support 'all decisions' Israel makes regarding Gaza. Trump threatened Hamas with 'unleashing hell' if they do not release the hostages.
ISRAEL BLOCKED HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA
Saar also evaluated Israel's blocking of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Saar stated that Hamas gains power from humanitarian aid, and therefore his country is acting in accordance with international law. Stating that Israel will not continue with the old order for the distribution of aid in Gaza, Saar indicated that they will establish a system different from the past. Saar did not provide details regarding the 'new system'.
In response to a question regarding Turkey's influence in Syria, Saar said, ''We do not want to face off with Turkey in Syria or anywhere else.''
Saar also answered a question about whether they have discussed with the US the possibility of Israel fully occupying Gaza and establishing military control. The Foreign Minister stated that this issue has not yet been decided by the government.