Hamas urges Turkish PM to challenge US over Gaza concerns

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan is planning to visit the Gaza Strip in the coming weeks Palestinian group Hamas has urged the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to challenge the United States over its concerns regarding his upcoming visit to the Gaza Strip. Hamas spokesperson Samy Abu Zahry issued a press statement on Thursday in which he claimed that the American stance towards Erdogan's proposed trip showed its inherent bias towards the Israeli occupation.
The Palestinian official claimed that Erdogan has the legal right to travel to the Strip, and argued that the visit would be the right way to respond to American authorities.
Earlier this week, US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said that her country was concerned about the Turkish prime minister's planned visit, adding that it would undermine the peace and security in the region.
Abu Zahry rejected Nuland's assertion that Hamas is a destabilising force in the region, and added the group would continue to resist the Israeli occupation.
Meanwhile, ordinary Palestinians on the streets of Gaza are looking forward to the visit of Erdogan, having witnessed the Turkish leader pressurise Israel over its blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Heba Mosleh, a college student in Gaza, said: "We welcome Erdogan’s visit to the Gaza Strip, because he has provided support for the Palestinian people," adding that the Turkish people had stood by their Palestinian counterparts on different issues, including the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip by the Israeli government.
Mosleh added that Turkey’s insistence on ending the Israeli blockade on Gaza proves the strength of the Turkish leadership and their support for the Palestinian people.
Hisham al-Mograhi, a student from Gaza, claimed that Israel's recent apology to the Turkish government over the flotilla deaths showed that it understands the strength of the Turkish leaders.
Al-Mograhi praised Erdogan for his stance towards Israel and urged other Arab nations to adopt a similar position on the Palestinian issue.