On 2026-10-11 Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz used his social media accounts to target two figures. He directed insulting remarks at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and issued a stark warning to Khalil al‑Hayya, the newly elected Hamas political leader. Katz said that al-Hayya’s turn would come and that he would be sent to the depths of hell alongside the martyred former Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh and his friends. He also claimed that Israel had already eliminated Hamas leaders in Gaza, implying that al-Hayya would meet the same fate.
Later the same day Burhanettin Duran, Turkey’s Communication Chairman, issued a public rebuke to Katz. Duran described Katz’s remarks as baseless accusations that could not conceal what he called the genocidal record of the Israeli administration in Gaza. He added that such statements were part of Israel’s aggressive policies in the region and that they reflected a disregard for international law.
Duran went further, framing Katz’s behavior as a manifestation of political desperation. He stated that the Israeli minister’s outbursts were a manifestation of political desperation before the upcoming elections in Israel.
In his rebuttal Duran invoked the situation in Gaza, asserting that Israel’s actions there amounted to a genocidal record.
In his rebuttal Duran invoked the situation in Gaza, asserting that Israel’s actions there amounted to a genocidal record. He argued that no amount of rhetoric from Israeli officials could hide the reality of what he described as ongoing aggressive policies in the region. This reference served to underline Turkey’s position that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute a genocidal record.
Duran also warned that Katz’s open threat to kill those involved in ceasefire and peace negotiations was a new manifestation of the Israeli administration’s attitude of disregarding international law. He emphasized that such threats showed a disregard for international law and that Turkey will continue to defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Finally, Duran declared that Turkey would continue to defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people under President Erdoğan’s leadership, unaffected by Israeli provocations. He framed this commitment as part of Turkey’s stance under President Erdoğan’s leadership.
The exchange between Duran and Katz reflects the rhetoric surrounding the Gaza conflict. Both sides have held firm to their positions: Israel’s minister has threatened to eliminate Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, suggesting he would be sent to the depths of hell like Ismail Haniyeh, while Turkey’s communication chief has condemned those warnings as desperate and unlawful, pledging ongoing support for Palestinian rights.
