TURKEY PERSPECTIVE

Ankara unequivocally condemns the Israeli strike on Beirut, placing it within the framework of international humanitarian law. Daily Sabah leads with the raw human toll — 2,704 Lebanese dead since March 2, 8,311 wounded, over 1.6 million displaced representing roughly one-fifth of the population — and documents the crumbling ceasefire mechanics: the April 17 truce extended to May 17 was already called 'worthless' by Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam before the Beirut strike. Ankara reads Finance Minister Smotrich's statements about a 'territorial reorganization' as a clear signal of annexationist intent. Daily Sabah notes that Hezbollah was not party to the Washington negotiations — and without it, no agreement holds. Ankara, maintaining complex commercial and diplomatic relations with Tehran, Beirut and Tel Aviv, positions itself as a guardian of international law and fears the Beirut strike has derailed what could have been a foundation for a durable regional settlement.