Already, ambassadors have been recalled in tit-for-tat fashion, but Wednesday saw Erdogan escalate yet again by calling Israel a "terror state". He told members of his hardline Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in a speech before parliament: "I say clearly that Israel is a terror state."

"While we curse the Israeli administration, we do not forget those who openly support these massacres and those who go out of their way to legitimize them," he continued, in a clear reference to the United States and Western allies of Israel. And not for the first time, he denounced "genocide" unfolding.

"We are faced with a genocide," Erdogan emphasized, perhaps in reference to the broader Muslim world. He also personally lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he'll soon be a "goner" from his office, amid growing Israeli domestic anger at his failure to protect citizens, in the wake of the Oct.7 terror attacks.

Erdogan also once again pressed Israel to formally declare its secret nuclear arsenal: "Your end is nigh, anyway, whether you have nuclear weapons or not" - and in response he drew loud applause.

That's when he said: "We see Netanyahu flanked by ministers in his news conferences. He thinks these ministers will save him. Netanyahu is a goner." The Turkish leader characterized Israel's strategy as one of seeking to destroy "an entire city with its people". 

And after France's Macron recently began condemning the soaring Palestinian death toll, Erdogan commented: 

"The West, particularly the United States, unfortunately, exhibits a different stance (than others criticizing Israel). For instance, France changed its stand. They act differently one day and backtrack the following day. Be honest. Be like Türkiye."