Erdogan sends troops to Gaza

Turkish media reported Wednesday morning that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered the dispatch of dozens of experts from the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) to the Gaza Strip, who will arrive with specialized equipment and heavy vehicles for rescue and relief operations.

According to the report, 81 technical experts and heavy engineering equipment operators have begun departing from various Turkish provinces to Ankara, where they will reorganize and continue their journey together toward the southern border.

In the initial phase, the force will focus on locating the missing, rescuing those trapped under rubble, and coordinating the distribution of humanitarian aid. A specialized search and rescue team has been mobilized.

Reports say the move is not being coordinated with Israel, whose officials had previously said they did not want a direct Turkish intervention in the Gaza Strip, particularly given Ankara’s ties to Hamas leadership. Turkish officials, however, said the mission’s aim is “to save lives only” and that it will include only civilian personnel.