Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday issued a stark warning to Israel, asserting that Turkey could intervene there just as it did in Nagorno Karabakh and Libya. 

During a meeting with the Justice and Development Party in Rize province, Erdogan declared, “just as we entered Karabakh and Libya, we can do the same with these. There is nothing to prevent this, we just need to be strong to take such steps."

Erdogan’s statements immediately drew sharp reactions from Israeli officials. 

Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz likened Erdogan’s rhetoric to that of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who also threatened Israel in the past. Katz warned Erdogan to remember the fate of Iraq and its leader.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned Erdogan’s comments, describing them as dangerous and irrational. Lapid called on the international community, particularly NATO members, to denounce Erdogan’s threats strongly and to compel him to cease his support for Hamas, which Israel views as a terrorist organization.

In a swift and pointed response, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement comparing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, predicting a similar downfall. 

In a post on the social media platform X, the ministry stated, "Just as the end of the genocidal Hitler was, so too will be the end of the genocidal Netanyahu."

The ministry affirmed that humanity will stand with the Palestinian people and that those attempting to annihilate them will not succeed.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also weighed in, saying, “our President has been the voice of humanity’s conscience. Those who want to suppress this righteous voice, especially Israel and international Zionist circles, are in great panic. History has ended in the same way for all genocidal perpetrators and their supporters."

The escalating war of words marks a significant deterioration in the already fraught relations between Turkey and Israel. 

Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israeli policies towards the Palestinians, while Israel has consistently condemned Turkey's support for Hamas and its aggressive regional posturing.