Turkish foreign minister hosts Hamas Shura Council chief in Ankara for Gaza talks

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Mohammed Darwish, head of the Hamas Shura Council, in the capital Ankara on Saturday to discuss the latest developments in Gaza and wider regional security issues, diplomatic sources said.

Gaza peace efforts

During the meeting, Fidan emphasized that the ongoing war in the region must not overshadow the Palestinian cause, adding that Türkiye continues to keep the humanitarian disasters caused by Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank before the international community. He stressed that Israel's expanding military presence in the enclave and its obstruction of urgently needed humanitarian aid deliveries remain unacceptable, the sources noted.

International backing

Fidan underscored the importance of sustained international support for the Palestinian cause, particularly from Islamic nations and other states backing Palestine. He reaffirmed that Türkiye would maintain its leading role in these diplomatic efforts, reiterating Ankara's firm opposition to any attempts to force Palestinians to leave Gaza, according to the sources.

Diplomatic context

The talks took place as Ankara continues its diplomatic push to establish a lasting peace in Gaza and facilitate humanitarian assistance deliveries to the enclave. Turkish Foreign Ministry officials said the meeting formed part of Türkiye's broader engagement with Palestinian factions and regional actors to address the crisis.