Turkish, German leaders clash over Gaza

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised Germany over what he said was its ignorance of Israel's "genocide" and attacks in Gaza, at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday. 

The open public friction between NATO allies emerged on Merz's first visit to Turkey since taking office. 

Merz said his government had stood by Israel since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas and that he believes Israel was exercising its right to self-defence. 

"It would have taken only one decision to avoid countless unnecessary casualties. Hamas should have released the hostages earlier and laid down its arms," he said, adding he hoped the war was coming to an end with the US-brokered and Turkey-backed ceasefire deal.

- Reporting by Reuters