Turkey will increase pressure on Israel, Erdogan tells Abbas

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday that Turkey will continue to support the Palestinian cause and push the international community to increase pressure on Israel, his office said.

The two leaders discussed recent developments and the steps to be taken for a lasting ceasefire and peace in Gaza, Erdogan's office said in a post on X. 

Erdogan condemned Israel's war in Gaza, the statement said, accusing some Western countries of remaining silent and continuing to support Israel.

Erdogan also told Abbas that all countries, especially in the Muslim world, should step up efforts to ensure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

Abbas is set to address an extraordinary session of Turkey's parliament on Thursday.

Turkey has denounced the war and has halted all trade with Israel. It submitted a request to join South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide.

Turkey's invitation to Abbas came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the US Congress on July 25, which Ankara has condemned.

"We will show that Mr. Abbas has the right to speak in our parliament just as Netanyahu has the right to speak in the U.S. Congress," Erdogan told members of his ruling AK Party on Wednesday before meeting Abbas.

Erdogan, who has been a staunch supporter of Hamas, said Turkey had also planned to invite the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Iran's capital, Tehran on July 31. Israel has not claimed the attack, although Iran blames Israel and is threatening to retaliate-risking a wider conflict in the region. 

The United States has asked Turkey and other allies that have ties with Iran to persuade it to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, the US ambassador to Turkey said.