Turkey’s First Lady, Emine Erdogan, has appealed to former U.S. First Lady Melania Trump to use her influence to highlight the suffering of children caught in Israel’s war in Gaza.
In a letter released by the Turkish presidency on Saturday, Mrs. Erdogan praised Trump’s support for children affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and urged her to “extend the advocacy” to Palestinian children.
“Gaza has become a ‘children’s cemetery,’” Mrs. Erdogan wrote, stressing that “we must unite our voices and strength against this injustice.”
Call for Action on Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
The letter comes as a UN-backed food security report warns of famine in Gaza City, where nearly half a million people face starvation and more than 132,000 children are at risk of malnutrition.
“The phrase ‘unknown baby’ written on the shrouds of thousands of Gazan children opens irreparable wounds in our consciences,” Mrs. Erdogan wrote, urging Trump to “show the same sensitivity to Gaza that you have shown to Ukrainian children.”
She also called on the former first lady to personally appeal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end what she described as “the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”
Earlier this month, Mrs. Trump sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to consider the plight of children, though she did not reference specific cases.
Famine and Malnutrition in Gaza
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report confirmed famine in Gaza City, warning that 640,000 people could face “catastrophic conditions” through September. Nearly one in three children in Gaza are acutely malnourished, with projections showing that up to June 2026, 132,000 children under five will face life-threatening hunger.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that 112 of the 273 people who have already died from malnutrition are children.
Israel has denied famine exists in Gaza, accusing IPC experts of bias and of relying on Hamas-supplied data. IPC officials have rejected those accusations.
Israel-Gaza War and Mounting Civilian Toll
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza after the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken.
Since then, more than 62,122 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Over 90% of homes are estimated to be damaged or destroyed, while healthcare, water, and sanitation systems have collapsed.
The Israeli military is now preparing a new offensive aimed at occupying Gaza City.
Erdogan’s History of Advocacy
Though generally focused on environmental issues, Emine Erdogan has occasionally taken political stances. She has previously written letters to the spouses of world leaders, including in 2016 on behalf of Syrians caught in the civil war and again in March condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza.
UN Secretary General António Guterres has previously praised Mrs. Erdogan for her humanitarian and environmental advocacy.