Erdogan: 'I cannot accept Hamas as a terror group'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rebuffed US efforts to ostracise Hamas in the country.

On his way back from the United Arab Emirates after attending the Cop28 summit, Erdogan said: "I stand by my position. No matter what anybody says, I cannot accept Hamas as a terror group."

The comments came days after Brian Nelson, the US Treasury's top terrorism financing official, expressed "profound" concern over alleged Hamas "ability to continue to fund raise and find financial support" from within Turkey.

Regarding Israel's ongoing assault in Gaza, Erdogan added: "This is state terrorism. We cannot stay silent against this state terrorism," as reported by the Turkish media outlet Anadolu Agency.

"The Netanyahu administration's massacre in Gaza is etched in history as a black stain. Countries supporting this unconditionally are stained as well," said Erdogan.