Erdogan calls Israel a terrorist state and backs Hamas

President Erdogan of Turkey has denounced Israel as a “terrorist state”, criticised the United States and defended Hamas in a fiery speech that may overshadow his state visit to Germany on Friday.

The Turkish leader, who initially responded to the massacre carried out by Hamas last month with restraint and positioned himself as a potential mediator, has launched increasingly strident verbal attacks on Israel over the past four weeks.

The Israeli army says its forces are carrying out “a precise and targeted operation” against Hamas militants in al-Shifa hospital, the largest in the besieged territory of Gaza.

Witnesses said they had seen tanks in the hospital grounds and soldiers entering the hospital’s emergency department and basement, where Israel’s military claims Hamas has a command centre.

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