Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan has urged Melania Trump to publicly advocate for Palestinian children caught in the Gaza conflict, calling on the former U.S. First Lady to pressure Israeli leadership over the worsening humanitarian crisis.
The appeal, sent in a letter dated Friday and released by Turkey’s presidency, draws on Melania Trump’s own past humanitarian gestures. Earlier this month, Trump had written to Russian President Vladimir Putin expressing concern for Ukrainian children affected by the war in Ukraine.
“I trust that the compassion you’ve shown for the 648 Ukrainian children will extend to the children of Gaza,” Erdoğan wrote, framing the plea as part of a growing international demand for Palestinian recognition and humanitarian action.
The White House has not issued a response to the letter.
Famine Declared in Gaza as Death Toll Mounts
The appeal comes as a global food security watchdog officially declared famine in Gaza City and surrounding areas, warning that starvation is spreading rapidly. The declaration has intensified calls for Israel to ease restrictions on aid deliveries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the report, labeling it “an outright lie,” and insisting Israel does not deliberately starve civilians.
The Gaza conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians, Gaza health authorities report.
