Hamas chief condemns US military aid to Israel as ‘green light for Gaza aggression’

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Sunday (Apr 21) released a statement condemning the approval of billions of dollars in military aid to Israel stating that this would give Tel Aviv a "licence" for the Gaza "aggression".

"This support, which violates international law, is a licence and a green light for the Zionist extremist government (Israel) to continue the brutal aggression against our people," Hamas said in a statement.

"We consider this step a confirmation of the official American complicity and partnership in the war of extermination waged by the fascist occupation army against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip."

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The US House on Saturday (Apr 20) approved a $13 billion military aid package for Israel amid its ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

Following the significant development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the "much-appreciated aid bill" exhibits support for Israel and "defends Western civilisation".

The US bill said that more than $9 billion will also be dedicated to address "the dire need for humanitarian assistance for Gaza as well as other vulnerable populations around the world".

Turkey's Erdogan meets Hamas leader

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday (Apr 20) called on the Palestinians to unite amid the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip after his meeting with the Hamas chief in Istanbul.

As per the Turkish media reports, the talks between the Turkish President and the Hamas chief lasted for about more than two and a half hours.

"It is vital that Palestinians act with unity in this process. The strongest response to Israel and the path to victory lie in unity and integrity," Erdogan said according to a Turkish presidency statement.

Turkish President slams Netanyahu

Earlier, on Tuesday (Apr 16), Erdogan hit out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli leadership condemning them for the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

"Israel violating international law and the Vienna Convention by targeting the Iranian Embassy in Damascus was the straw that broke the camel's back," Erdogan said during a press conference after a cabinet meeting in Ankara.

He also launched a scathing attack on Netanyahu stating that he was solely responsible for the lives lost during the war and that he was endangering his own countrymen and people in the region.

"Netanyahu is endangering the lives of both his own citizens and all the people of the region to extend his political life. This is an indisputable fact: the one responsible for the tension that made our hearts skip a beat on the night of April 13 is Netanyahu and his government, which is seeing red," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)