Turkey expressed deep concern Saturday over Israel’s ongoing strikes on Lebanon, voicing fears that the country could commit “a new genocide” under the guise of fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah.

“We are frankly concerned (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is moving toward a new genocide under the pretext of fighting Hezbollah,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at a news conference.

“The international community must act as soon as possible in the face of the crimes that Israel continues to commit,” he added.

Lebanon dragged into Middle East war

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war last week when Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Since then, Lebanon’s health ministry says Israeli strikes have killed 826 people, including 65 women and 106 children, and wounded another 2,009.

Turkey has repeatedly accused Israel of committing “genocide” during its two-year war in the Gaza Strip, where the Hamas-run health ministry reports more than 72,000 Palestinians killed. Israel denies the charge.

International scrutiny

A UN probe in September accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, while rights groups have accused Hamas of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the October 7 attack on Israel. Both sides reject the allegations.