Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s president, has said Hamas is not a terrorist organisation but a liberation group fighting to protect Palestinian lands and people.

The Turkish leader’s comments provoked immediate condemnation from Israel’s government, while Italy described them as disgusting.

The diplomatic row flared as Israel continued to protest earlier remarks by the United Nations secretary general, who was accused of suggesting the Oct 7 attack was provoked by the “suffocating occupation” of the Palestinian territories.

Israel said it had denied a visa request from the British United Nations aid chief in response, while Rishi Sunak said he disagreed with the secretary-general’s comments.

Downing Street said: “Obviously we don’t agree with that characterisation put forward. We are clear that there is and can be no justification for Hamas’s barbaric terrorist attack which was driven by hatred and ideology.”

Mr Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire between Israeli and Palestinian forces and said Muslim countries must act together to secure a lasting peace in the region.

He said: “Hamas is not a terrorist organisation, it is a liberation group, ‘mujahideen’ waging a battle to protect its lands and people.”