On August 11, 2014, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, together with Minister of Health, Mr. Mehmet Müezzinoğlu welcomed the Palestinians who were brought to Turkey for treatment with an air ambulance at the Ankara Esenboğa Airport.

Speaking to the press at the airport, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu pointed out the continuing humanitarian tragedy in Gaza and said “Our Palestinian brothers are struggling to sustain their lives in constraint conditions. During these tough times, Turkey maintains its intense diplomatic efforts. Our efforts have two main objectives, the first one is to ensure the delivery of all kinds of assistance to our Gazan brothers and the second one is to establish ceasefire as soon as possible with a view to providing accession to humanitarian assistance effectively by ensuring necessary security conditions in Gaza”.

Recalling that at the meeting held on July 25, 2014 in Paris the parties agreed on an air bridge for the treatment of injured people, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu stated that the air bridge couldn’t be implemented so far because of ceasefire violations.

Noting that following intense diplomatic contacts, the first four injured Palestinians arrived in Turkey, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said “Via air-bridge which will operate with continuous circulation we are planning to bring 40 patients each time. We will bring the biggest possible number of injured Palestinians to Turkey for treatment”.