First statement from Hamas following export restriction decision: 'We appreciate it'

Following growing protests in Turkey regarding trade with Israel, the Ministry of Trade has decided to impose partial export restrictions on Israel. 

While the decision was met with harsh statements and threats of sanctions from the Israeli side, the first statement has come from Hamas.

"TURKEY CAN BE A GUARANTOR COUNTRY"

Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, made statements to an AA reporter regarding the relations between Turkey and Hamas, as well as Turkey's aid to the Gaza Strip, where Israel has been continuing its attacks since October 7, 2023.

Appreciating Turkey's solidarity with Gaza at both the official and public levels, Abu Zuhri stated, "The diplomatic and aid efforts carried out by the Turkish government officially are quite good; we appreciate this and call for this support to be developed because we are facing a Western coalition targeting Gaza."

Noting that the war is intense and that Israel is using all kinds of horrific weapons with the full support of the West, and that Turkey could lead an Islamic coalition to ensure this war stops, Abu Zuhri said, "We say this because we appreciate Turkey's position, because of the pride we feel in this role, and because of our belief that Turkey is an advanced and leading country in the region and can do a lot."

Abu Zuhri stated that the humanitarian aid provided by Turkey to Gaza at both the official and public levels is good and distinguished in terms of type and quantity, and that they are in coordination with the Turks regarding increasing these amounts.

"Hamas's relationship with the Turkish leadership is at an advanced level, and Turkey's stance, which emphasizes that the Palestinian resistance is a legitimate resistance and that Hamas is a Palestinian national liberation movement, is an advanced and distinguished stance that we are proud of," said Abu Zuhri, emphasizing that this position, which contributes to preventing all attempts by the US and the West to associate Hamas with terrorism, is important and serves Hamas and the Palestinian people greatly.

Regarding Hamas's request for Turkey to be among the guarantor countries for any ceasefire agreement to be made in Gaza, Abu Zuhri said, "The occupying state (Israel) does not comply with any agreement, so there must be parties that can ensure the implementation of this agreement. Turkey can be one of the main parties in ensuring the implementation of this potential agreement."

"DESTRUCTION CONTINUES AT THE SAME PACE"

Pointing out that Israel has been continuing its attacks on the Gaza Strip uninterruptedly for 6 months, Abu Zuhri said, "The occupying state announced the previous day (April 7) that its forces had withdrawn from the Gaza Strip, and this is a declaration of the failure of the ground operation against Gaza (which began on October 27)."

The Israeli army announced in a statement on April 7 that it had withdrawn from Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.

The statement reported that the 98th Commando Division, which carried out the attack in Khan Yunis, had completed its mission in the region and had completely withdrawn from there the previous night, and that only the Nahal Brigade would continue to remain in the Gaza Strip.

Pointing out that this step taken by Israel does not mean that the war has stopped and that warplanes continue to target civilians' homes in various parts of the Gaza Strip, Abu Zuhri said the following:

"Therefore, the war continues at the same pace in terms of killing and destruction. Hunger also continues, and the residents of the Gaza Strip (approximately 2.3 million Palestinians) are still experiencing the painful extent of this."

News Source: 12punto