Diplomat Fidan Criticizes Israel's Attempt to Evict Gazans and Annex West Bank during a discussions with Hamas leaders
Turkey's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, met with a Hamas delegation led by Mohammed Ismail Darwish in Istanbul on Friday. The meeting comes amidst the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza, which has claimed more than 60,000 lives, mostly women and children, since October 7, 2023.
During the meeting, Fidan reaffirmed Turkey's strong support for the Palestinian cause. He condemned Israel's efforts to expel Gazans from their lands and annex the West Bank, and accused Israel of pursuing a policy of genocide by starving the people of Gaza.
The Hamas delegation, in turn, emphasized that humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza remains grossly inadequate. They criticized Israel's unyielding position in cease-fire negotiations and expressed concern that Israel seeks to prolong the talks to break Gaza's resistance and force the displacement of its population.
Fidan stated that rising public pressure has led to increasing recognition of the Palestinian state. He suggested that Israel's unyielding position in cease-fire negotiations is not serious about reaching a cease-fire.
Turkey has been vocal in its condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza. The country halted all trade with Israel as of May 2024, while ensuring that Palestinian access to necessary goods was not negatively impacted. Turkey has also endorsed multiple international measures aimed at holding Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza, becoming the first country to formally support a six-point action plan following a July 2025 international conference on Palestine.
However, Turkey expressed reservations on certain legal aspects of the measures, particularly related to maritime restrictions, due to its own regional maritime disputes.
Turkey continues to engage with international partners to seek a ceasefire and promote long-term peace solutions, including hosting talks related to broader regional issues such as Iran's nuclear ambitions, signifying its active role in regional diplomacy beyond direct Israel-Palestine issues.
In summary, Turkey's support for Palestinians amidst the conflict is outspoken and multifaceted: it includes political backing for Palestinian statehood recognition, condemnation of Israeli actions in Gaza, halting trade with Israel, endorsement of international measures against Israel, and active diplomacy aimed at humanitarian relief and peace.
- The Turkish government, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been actively involved in war-and-conflicts and general news, particularly regarding Israel and the Palestinian territories.
- Istanbul, being the major city in Turkiye, has seen significant political events, such as meetings between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Hamas delegations, discussing the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
- The Turkish government's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is evident in its actions, including halting all trade with Israel in May 2024, and endorsing multiple international measures to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza.
- Beyond direct Israel-Palestine issues, Turkey has also engaged in broader regional politics, such as hosting talks related to Iran's nuclear ambitions, demonstrating its active role in regional diplomacy.
