Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday, September 7, 2024, called for the formation of an Islamic alliance to counter what he described as the growing expansionist threat posed by Israel.

Speaking at an event for the Islamic Schools Association near Istanbul, Erdogan stated, "Islamic countries must form an alliance against the growing expansionist threat from Israel."

He added, "The only step that will stop Israeli arrogance, bullying, and state terrorism is an alliance of Islamic countries."

Erdogan highlighted that Turkey's recent efforts to improve relations with Egypt and Syria aim to "create a line of solidarity against the growing expansionist threat," which he said also endangers Lebanon and Syria.

Last week, Erdogan hosted his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in Ankara. The two leaders discussed the Gaza war and ways to mend long-strained relations during the first visit by an Egyptian president to Turkey in 12 years.

Relations between the two countries began improving in 2020 when Turkey initiated diplomatic efforts to ease tensions with regional states, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

In July, Erdogan stated that Turkey would extend an invitation to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad "at any time" for potential talks to restore relations between the neighboring countries, which were severed in 2011 following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war.

Following an incident on Friday, the Israeli military announced it was investigating reports of a foreign woman's death "as a result of gunfire in the area. The details of the incident and the circumstances of her injury are under review."