Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a high-profile meeting in Istanbul with a delegation from Hamas, led by Muhammad Darwish, the head of the group’s Shura Council. According to information obtained from Turkish diplomatic sources, the discussions centered around the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the stalled ceasefire negotiations with Israel.
The Hamas delegation emphasized that the volume of humanitarian aid currently permitted to enter Gaza is grossly insufficient to meet the basic needs of the civilian population. They also highlighted what they described as Israel’s “intransigent attitude” during ceasefire negotiations, which they believe is preventing meaningful progress toward de-escalation.
“Israel is starving Gaza and pursuing a policy of genocide”
Minister Fidan strongly condemned the Israeli government’s approach to the ongoing conflict, asserting that Israel is deliberately using starvation as a weapon against the civilian population in Gaza. “By depriving Gaza’s people of food and aid, Israel is pursuing a systematic policy of genocide,” Fidan said.
He further argued that this strategy reflects the Netanyahu government’s lack of seriousness in achieving a ceasefire. “Israel’s intention is not peace, but rather to prolong the negotiations, break the will of the Palestinian people, and force them to abandon their homeland,” he stated.
“Steps to displace Palestinians and annex the West Bank are unacceptable”
Fidan underlined Turkey’s clear opposition to Israel’s broader regional ambitions, including the potential displacement of Palestinians and the annexation of the West Bank. “Any move to forcibly remove Palestinians from their lands or to illegally annex Palestinian territory will never be accepted by Turkey,” he said.
He reiterated that Turkey supports the continuation of ceasefire negotiations, emphasizing that all diplomatic channels must remain open to secure a just and lasting resolution.
“Turkey’s support for the Palestinian cause will remain unwavering”
In his remarks, Fidan also pointed to a shift in global public opinion in favor of the Palestinian cause. He noted that an increasing number of countries are recognizing the State of Palestine, partly as a result of public pressure and growing international awareness of the situation in Gaza.
“Israel is becoming more isolated by the day,” Fidan noted. “As global condemnation intensifies, more nations are stepping forward to recognize Palestinian statehood. This momentum must be sustained.”
He concluded by reaffirming Turkey’s long-standing commitment to the Palestinian cause: “Turkey’s support for the Palestinian people will continue in the strongest terms. We will stand by them until justice prevails.”
Context and Significance
The meeting between Minister Fidan and the Hamas leadership comes amid one of the most intense and protracted phases of the Israel-Gaza conflict. While the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deteriorate, international efforts to broker a ceasefire have largely stalled.
Turkey has positioned itself as a vocal critic of Israeli policy and an advocate for Palestinian rights, often serving as a regional platform for dialogue with various Palestinian factions. This meeting further underscores Ankara’s determination to remain actively involved in regional diplomacy and to mobilize international attention toward the plight of the Palestinian people.
