Türkiye condemns Israel's ground operation in Lebanon, warns of 'humanitarian disaster'

2026-03-16 - 20:22

The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Monday strongly condemned Israel's ground operation in Lebanon, saying it "further deepens instability in the region." In a statement, Turkish diplomatic sources added that the Israeli government is implementing "policies of genocide and collective punishment" in Lebanon, which could lead to a new humanitarian disaster in the region. Solidarity with Lebanon It also reaffirmed Türkiye's solidarity with Lebanon in the face of attacks that violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ankara's strong language reflects deep concern over the expanding conflict, which has now displaced over one million Lebanese and killed nearly 900 people since March 2. Regional context Israel launched a ground offensive in Lebanon Monday following weeks of airstrikes across the country. The operation is part of broader regional escalation since the US and Israel began joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, killing over 1,300 people including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Hezbollah, an Iranian ally, began cross-border attacks on March 2, prompting the Israeli campaign. Humanitarian concerns Türkiye's warning of "humanitarian disaster" reflects the massive displacement and civilian toll already documented by Lebanese authorities. Over 830,000 people have been displaced and more than 2,100 wounded, with the ground offensive threatening to dramatically worsen conditions.