The president of Turkey has attacked Western support for Israel after claiming international law in Gaza is being disregarded because the "blood being spilled is Muslim blood".
Recep Tayyip Erdogan has waded in on the Israel-Hamas war as he vented anger towards Western countries which are providing unconditional support for Israeli attacks instead of calling for a ceasefire.
The Turkish leader has slammed Israel for their attacks on Gaza, saying it has exceeded self-defence and plunged into open "oppression, brutality, a massacre and barbarism".
Yesterday, he declared: "Hamas is not a terrorist organisation, it is a liberation group, 'mujahideen' waging a battle to protect its lands and people."
His criticism has seen him raise concerns with the Pope and cancel a planned trip to the country.
Hamas-run health authorities say over 7,000 people have now been killed since October 7, which has caused relations between Turkey and Tel Aviv to rapidly deteriorate.
Erdogan said he told Pope Francis that the lack of international condemnation over Israel's strikes on Gaza is "embarrassing".
He added that: "the international community's silence about what is happening is a shame for humanity".
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It comes as the UK, US and European Union have repeated their support to Israel as it continues to bomb Hamas targets and threatens a ground invasion of Gaza.
Hamas has issued a warning that it will turn Palestinian tragedy into "joy" if the Israeli Defence Forces launch a ground assault of Gaza.
Deputy Hamas chief Saleh al-Arouri said that "despite the enemy's crimes... the resistance is well", adding that Hamas and other Islamist groups "will turn your tragedies into joy, in the event of a ground invasion" in a statement to Palestinians.
He also announced that Hamas and the leaders of Hezbollah have been discussing plans for the impending Israeli invasion.
Hamas is 'exploiting civilians' in Gaza and deliberately placing rocket launchers in schools, a kindergarten and a mosque, according to the Israel Defence ForcesGetty/ MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images"Our battle is also Hezbollah's battle," he said. "If the enemy enters by land, it will be an unprecedented defeat [for Israel]."
But Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last night that Hamas terrorists were "doomed" as he vowed to push ahead with a ground invasion.
He said: "We are raining hellfire on Hamas. We have already killed thousands of terrorists and this is only the beginning. Simultaneously, we are preparing for a ground invasion. I will not elaborate on when, how or how many."
