Erdogan to address pro-Palestinian rally on eve of Turkey's centenary

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is expected to join a pro-Palestinian rally in Istanbul, ahead of the centenary of Turkey's secular republic. Erdogan's planned address aims to reinforce his criticism of Israel's bombardment of Gaza and overshadow celebrations of Turkey's secular roots. Turkey has condemned Israeli civilian deaths but Erdogan has referred to Hamas as "freedom fighters". Unlike many NATO allies, Turkey does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization and has offered to play a role in negotiating the release of hostages. Erdogan's rhetoric has sharpened due to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.