Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan mentioned efforts to ship humanitarian assist to Gaza and attain a good and lasting peace within the area throughout a gathering with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul on Saturday, his workplace stated.
It was the primary assembly between Erdogan and a Hamas delegation headed by Haniyeh since Israel started its navy offensive within the Gaza Strip. Haniyeh’s go to to Turkey befell three days after he met Turkish International Minister Hakan Fidan in Doha.
“Points associated to Israel’s assaults on lands of Palestine, significantly Gaza, efforts for enough and uninterrupted supply of humanitarian assist to Gaza, and a good and lasting peace course of within the area have been mentioned,” the Turkish presidency stated in an announcement.
The go to befell amid escalating regional tensions following Israel’s reported assault on Iran this week.
“Erdogan careworn that Israel shouldn’t profit from the developments (between Iran and Israel) and that it is very important make efforts that may draw consideration to Gaza once more,” the assertion added.
NATO member Turkey has denounced Israel’s offensive in Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on Israel and known as for a direct ceasefire.
Erdogan has known as Hamas a “liberation motion” whereas slamming the West for what he calls its unconditional assist of Israel. Ankara has additionally imposed commerce restrictions on Israel.
In Saturday’s assembly, Erdogan informed Haniyeh Turkey continues its diplomatic efforts for a everlasting ceasefire in addition to the institution of an unbiased state of Palestine, in keeping with the assertion.
Erdogan additionally informed Haniyeh “it’s critical for Palestinians to behave in unity,” the assertion stated.
Palestinian militant group Hamas seized management in Gaza in 2007, a yr after sweeping elections, following a short civil struggle with Palestinian Authority (PA) safety forces, lowering the PA’s rule to the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution.
Efforts to reconcile the 2 sides have to date failed over thorny power-sharing points.