Palestinian minister says Gaza genocide continues unabated

Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian declared on Friday that Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip remains ongoing, as she detailed a worsening humanitarian catastrophe during a panel at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye. Speaking five months after the signing of the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement, Aghabekian said the reality on the ground contradicts any notion of peace. “Today we are five months after the signing of the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement, and what we see in Gaza is nothing but disaster,” she stated. “Killing continues, injuries continue, and humanitarian assistance is to the extent that it is needed.”

Dire living conditions and delayed aid

The minister described desperate conditions for displaced Palestinians, many of whom live in tents vulnerable to flooding and unsanitary environments. “People are living in tents being flooded with water,” she said, adding that international reports show residents are surrounded by rubble and waste, with food supplies contaminated by rodents. Aghabekian questioned the international community’s response, asking: “When will immediate relief efforts start in Gaza? When will humanitarian assistance enter, and when will we start seeing essential needs such as health care, education, and water being delivered?”

Years of violations and ongoing ceasefire breaches

Aghabekian framed the current catastrophe as the culmination of years of Israeli violations. “This genocide was the culmination of many years of (Israeli) violations that brought us to where we are,” she added. Her remarks come as daily Israeli breaches of the ceasefire—in effect since Oct. 10, 2025—continue. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, those violations have killed 765 Palestinians and wounded 2,140 others. The ceasefire had followed a two-year Israeli military campaign that began in October 2023, which Gaza authorities say has killed over 72,340 Palestinians, wounded 172,250 others, and destroyed approximately 90% of the enclave’s infrastructure.

Türkiye’s consistent stance on Gaza

For Türkiye, which has repeatedly condemned Israeli actions and called for immediate humanitarian corridors to Gaza, Aghabekian’s speech at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum reinforced Ankara’s longstanding position. Turkish officials have used the forum to amplify Palestinian voices and push for accountability. As the forum continues through April 19, expectations remain high for further diplomatic initiatives aimed at halting the violence and ensuring unhindered aid delivery to the besieged strip.