RT Drop Site (@DropSiteNews)🇹🇷 Turkish President Erdogan pushed back against 🇩🇪 German Chancellor Merz’s claim that “Israel exercised its right to self-defense” and that “the war would have ended if Hamas had laid down its weapons earlier.”Erdogan said:“There’s one thing the chancellor said that I cannot agree with. Nearly 60,000 women, children, and elderly people have been killed. Hamas doesn’t have bombs or nuclear weapons — Israel does, and it’s using them.”“Does Germany not see this? Does Germany not f ...

Hostage Situation & Release - Hostages were freed as part of a peace deal [1] - Hostages endured horrors and torture at the hands of Hamas terrorists [1][5] - The release and reunions were emotional for the hostages and their families [1][2] Conditions of Captivity - Hostages were held in harsh conditions, including darkness requiring readjustment to normal light [4] - Hostages were tortured, abused, and starved by their captors [5] - Hamas terrorists ate large meals in front of the hostages while giving them minimal food [5] Impact & Recovery - Hostages need to readjust to normal life after prolonged captivity [4] - Family support was a crucial source of strength for the hostages during their ordeal [7] - The experience profoundly changed at least one hostage [2] Political & Security Implications - Israel accuses Hamas of violating the peace deal by not returning all remains of hostages [6] - Hamas gunmen were reportedly conducting public executions despite the peace deal's requirement to disarm [6]

Political Divide & Public Sentiment - Republicans are divided on addressing the situation in Gaza, with some using the term "genocide," while others reject it [1][2] - Public sentiment is shifting, with many Americans seeing the starvation and forced starvation of children in Gaza [9] - Democrats are struggling to articulate their stance on Gaza, creating a disconnect between political leadership and their supporters [8][19] - Younger generations have a weaker connection to Israel compared to older generations, posing a challenge for established leadership [16] Aid & Humanitarian Crisis - A visit to Gaza by Trump's Middle East envoy and Israel's Ambassador to inspect aid distribution sites was criticized as a publicity stunt [2][3] - There are reports of over 1,000 Palestinians killed, mostly by Israeli forces, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office [2] - At least 10 people were killed near aid distribution sites [3] - The forced starvation of the people of Gaza is considered a war crime [21] Political Maneuvering & International Relations - Benjamin Netanyahu's political motivations are seen as a central issue, as he seeks to remain in office [15] - The Israel lobby is perceived as having a powerful influence on Democratic leadership, potentially overshadowing the needs of the American people and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza [13] - France and the UK are expressing readiness to recognize a Palestinian state [14] - Some Democratic senators supported a bill to stop weapons to Israel [11]