- Erdogan at the UN climate summit called the Gaza war an 'ecocide', stating that centuries-old olive trees have been cut down, and the soil and water have been polluted in Gaza, with cities turned into enormous piles of rubble.
- Israel's Foreign Ministry responded on X, accusing Erdogan of using the forum to push an 'anti-Israel campaign of lies' and of supporting Hamas.
- Netanyahu in September called Turkey a 'superspreader of antisemitic lies' at the UN General Assembly.
- Remote sensing assessments showed that by May 2025, over 97% of tree crops, 82% of annual crops, 95% of shrubland, and 89% of grass and fallow land had been damaged.
- Gaza's destroyed infrastructure, compounded by torrential rain and flooding, has inundated tens of thousands of tents and shelters.
At the UN climate summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the situation in Gaza as an 'ecocide,' highlighting the environmental destruction caused by the ongoing conflict.12
Erdogan stated, “Centuries-old olive trees have been cut down. The soil and water have been polluted in Gaza, and cities in Gaza have been turned into enormous piles of rubble.”
He urged the international community to recognize these environmental impacts and called for increased aid access to the Palestinian territory.
In response, Israel's Foreign Ministry dismissed Erdogan's claims as a 'campaign of lies,' asserting that Hamas is responsible for the devastation. The Ministry tweeted, “Those who truly care about Gaza should demand that Hamas disarm so reconstruction can begin.”34
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with local health authorities reporting that more than 74,000 people have died due to Israel's retaliatory offensive.
Environmental assessments indicate severe agricultural damage, with reports showing that by May 2025, more than 97% of tree crops and 82% of annual crops in Gaza could be affected. Mohammed Usrof, co-founder of the Palestinian Institute for Climate Strategy, emphasized the dire situation, stating, “As of now, our families only have 3% of cropland to use.”
He warned that ignoring these losses threatens the food supply and livelihoods of Palestinians.
“UNEP remote sensing shows over 97% of tree crops and 82% of annual crops in Gaza damaged by May 2025, while Greenpeace MENA warns the environmental damage will outlast the war. Erdogan also urged Israel to grant more aid access to the Palestinian territory.”
AP News
