A NATO member declared national mourning for Hamas leader, blocking the military alliance's cooperation with Israel.

On August 1st, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announced that the country would hold a national day of mourning on August 2nd (local time) to commemorate Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who died in an assassination attempt in Tehran, Iran.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan affirmed his continued support for the establishment of a Palestinian state. (Source: DPA)

According to AFP , in a post on social media platform X, Erdogan stated: "A national day of mourning will be announced... in solidarity with the Palestinian cause and with our Palestinian brothers."

Earlier, the Turkish president condemned the assassination attempt on Haniyeh, calling it "a despicable act aimed at undermining the Palestinian cause... demoralizing and threatening the Palestinians."

The leader affirmed Turkey's continued support for the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.

The statement was issued after the leader of the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniyeh, died in an assassination at his residence in Tehran, Iran, in the early hours of July 31.

Previously, Reuters, citing informed sources, reported that since the conflict in the Gaza Strip broke out last October, Turkey has blocked cooperation between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), of which it is a member, and Israel.

Türkiye argues that NATO should not cooperate with Israel as a partner until the conflict is over.

Following Israel's attack in Gaza, Türkiye strongly criticized the move and halted all bilateral trade with the Middle Eastern country, while also condemning its Western allies for supporting Israel.

Sources indicate that Türkiye has vetoed all NATO activities with Israel, viewing Israel's war in Gaza as a violation of NATO's founding principles.

According to sources, Türkiye will maintain this blockade and not allow Israel to continue or advance interaction with NATO until the conflict ends, as they believe Israel's actions in Gaza violate international law and universal human rights.

Israel is a NATO partner and has fostered close ties with the military alliance and several of its members, particularly with the United States.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/mot-thanh-vien-nato-tuyen-bo-quoc-tang-tuong-nho-thu-linh-hamas-chan-hop-tac-cua-lien-minh-quan-su-voi-israel-281051.html