Türkiye at UN demands full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, opposes West Bank annexation

2026-02-19 - 08:42

Türkiye's UN envoy delivered a forceful address Wednesday at the Security Council's high-level session on Palestine, demanding full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and condemning unilateral measures entrenching occupation in the West Bank. Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz warned that while global attention focuses on Gaza's fragile ceasefire, "the occupying power continues unilateral measures aimed at entrenching its unlawful presence in the West Bank." Ceasefire and Reconstruction Yildiz called for "full implementation of the ceasefire arrangements, including Security Council resolution 2803 and President Trump's 20-point plan," emphasizing that "maintaining the ceasefire is essential to prevent further killings and to allow space for humanitarian assistance, early recovery efforts and meaningful political engagement." He stressed that humanitarian aid must "significantly increase" and "flow unhindered." "We also underscore the necessity of the full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza to enable recovery and reconstruction. Türkiye stands ready to play an active role in reconstruction efforts," he added. West Bank Annexation Condemned "Second, we categorically oppose any form of annexation," Yildiz stated, noting the 20-point plan's condemnation of Israeli unilateral measures to expand unlawful West Bank presence as "grave breaches of international law." He called on the Security Council to act decisively, compelling Israel to "halt its escalation in the occupied West Bank, to fully implement the ceasefire arrangements and to bring its illegal occupation to an end." Two-State Solution Momentum Yildiz urged that "the momentum created following the ceasefire in Gaza must be translated into the implementation of the two-state solution," affirming that "Türkiye will continue to act as a constructive, responsible and reliable partner in these efforts."