Erdogan denounces Gaza conflict as ‘ecocide’ at climate summit

Erdogan’s remarks, met with applause from attendees, highlighted the extensive damage to Gaza’s environment, including the destruction of olive trees, soil and water pollution, and the reduction of the region to rubble. He specifically noted the impact of recent torrential rains and flooding, which have submerged thousands of shelters and tents.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry swiftly responded, accusing Erdogan of spreading “anti-Israel lies” and supporting Hamas. Israel launched its military campaign following attacks by Hamas-led militants on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages. Israel was not invited to COP31.

Israel’s retaliatory actions have reportedly resulted in over 74,000 fatalities in Gaza, according to local health authorities. While the Health Ministry, administered by Hamas, does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths, it reports that women and children comprise nearly half of the deceased.

Erdogan’s criticism of Israel mirrors previous statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has labeled Erdogan an “antisemitic tyrant.”

Recent heavy rainfall has exacerbated the crisis, destroying numerous shelters and leaving displaced Palestinians without essential resources like food, water, and adequate shelter. Four deaths occurred earlier this week when a sand embankment collapsed onto a shelter.

While humanitarian aid is entering Gaza, the volume remains significantly below pre-war levels, with numerous essential items still restricted by Israel. A United Nations Environment Program report from May 2025 detailed the widespread environmental damage, indicating that over 97% of tree crops, 82% of annual crops, 95% of shrubland, and 89% of grass and fallow land have been damaged.

Mohammed Usrof, co-founder and executive director of the Palestinian Institute for Climate Strategy, emphasized the severe impact on Palestinians’ food supply and livelihoods. “As of now, our families only have 3% of cropland to use, and that is assuming it’s distributed across 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” he stated.

The conflict has severely crippled Gaza’s waste disposal, sewage treatment, and clean water delivery systems, further endangering the health of hundreds of thousands of residents. The report also highlighted the near-complete destruction of Gazan fishing livelihoods due to contamination from munitions, sewage, and waste.

Greenpeace MENA’s executive director, Ghiwa Nakat, warned that Gaza’s environmental recovery could take years, emphasizing the long-term consequences for public health, food security, and livelihoods. Formal climate talks began this week at COP31, with over 70 leaders present, although key figures from the United States, China, and India are absent.