Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara, Türkiye, Sept. 18, 2025, to discuss Israel's escalating offensive in Gaza and broader regional developments, the Turkish presidency said in a statement. [Photo/Xinhua]

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara on Thursday to discuss Israel's escalating offensive in Gaza and broader regional developments, the Turkish presidency said in a statement.

During the closed-door meeting, also attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Erdogan said Israel's assault on Gaza had reached "a new stage" with its latest ground offensive, describing it as a "genocide" that threatens not only Palestine but also regional stability.

Erdogan added that Türkiye would continue to raise the Palestinian issue and Israeli aggression "at every platform," including at the upcoming UN General Assembly.

He called for an immediate ceasefire, stronger international pressure on Israel, and greater unity within the Islamic world, reiterating Türkiye's support for full political unity among Palestinians.

Abbas, according to Palestinian official news agency WAFA, stressed the need for a permanent ceasefire, unimpeded aid to Gaza, Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. He also called for early recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The meeting came after the Israel Defense Forces expanded its ground operations in Gaza City on Tuesday, the largest city in the besieged Palestinian enclave. The nearly two years of war in Gaza have killed over 64,000 people and created famine conditions in the enclave, according to Gaza-based health authorities.