Gaza and Lebanon humanitarian crisis draws criticism from Turkish President Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Istanbul that the massacres in Gaza and Lebanon have "opened deep wounds in the conscience of humanity" and undermined the credibility of international institutions. He called for stronger NATO deterrence and solidarity, saying older concepts cannot explain the current situation.

According to local health authorities, the war in Gaza has caused more than 73,000 deaths and 173,252 injuries. In Lebanon, recent offensives have killed at least 4,246 people, wounded over 12,190 and displaced roughly 1.2 million residents, about 20 % of the population. The reports highlight ongoing airstrikes on towns such as Deir Seryan, Taybeh and Khiam, and stress that temporary ceasefires have failed to protect civilians.

Humanitarian conditions are dire, with acute shortages of food, water and medical care, and UNICEF notes Gaza now has the highest number of child amputees per capita worldwide.