Aug 23, 08:09 PM

Turkey’s First Lady Presses Melania Trump to Speak Up for Gaza Children

Turkey’s First Lady Emine Erdogan has sent a public letter to U.S. First Lady Melania Trump urging her to use her influence to highlight what she called the “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe” facing children in Gaza. The letter, dated 23 August and released by the Turkish presidency, praises Trump’s recent advocacy on behalf of children affected by Russia’s war in Ukraine and asks her to show the same “historical responsibility” toward Palestinians. Erdogan describes Gaza as a “children’s cemetery” and cites figures from Gaza’s health authorities that more than 62,000 Palestinians, including about 18,000 children, have been killed since Israel’s military campaign began in October 2023. She notes that a similar appeal by Trump on behalf of 648 Ukrainian children killed in the conflict with Russia had demonstrated the U.S. First Lady’s compassion and calls on her to address Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly. The appeal follows an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report that officially declared famine in Gaza City and warned that 132,000 children under five could face acute malnutrition by mid-2026 unless aid flows increase. Israel rejects the famine assessment, saying it is allowing sufficient supplies, while Gaza health officials and UN agencies say access remains severely restricted. The White House has not commented on Erdogan’s letter.