Turkish First Lady Urges Melania Trump to Speak Out on Gaza Children

ISTANBUL: Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan has appealed to Melania Trump, wife of former US President Donald Trump, to raise her voice on behalf of children in Gaza, calling on her to press Israel’s leadership to end the suffering.

According to the Turkish presidency, Emine Erdogan’s letter, dated Friday, was inspired by Melania Trump’s recent correspondence with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding children affected by the Ukraine war.

“I have faith that the important sensitivity you have shown for the 648 Ukrainian children … will be extended to Gaza as well,” Erdogan wrote. She stressed that a call from Melania Trump would carry significant weight amid what she described as a “collective awakening” in global recognition of Palestine.

The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment.

The appeal comes just a day after the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared famine in Gaza City and surrounding areas, warning the crisis is spreading. International pressure on Israel has been mounting to allow more aid into the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the famine report as “an outright lie,” maintaining that Israel’s policy is to prevent, not cause, starvation.

The ongoing Gaza war, triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and resulted in about 250 hostages, has since claimed the lives of over 62,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.