Hamas open to agreement beyond ceasefire with 'Israel': Turkey's FM
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Turkey discusses Hamas's openness to the "two-state solution", the situation in Syria, and firm action against the PKK.
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Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Hakan Fidan delivers a speech during a handover ceremony in Ankara. (AFP)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that talks with Hamas revealed a readiness to engage in an agreement that goes beyond a temporary ceasefire, aiming instead for a permanent resolution to the struggle against the Israeli occupation.
Hamas shows flexibility, 'Israel' intransigent
During his meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Sunday, Fidan claimed that Hamas would accept any agreement that includes the so-called two-state solution.
He further noted that the Palestinian side has shown approval for a ceasefire in Gaza, while "Israel" remains intransigent.
The total Gaza death toll update now stands at 52,243 martyrs and 117,639 wounded since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on October 7, 2023. An additional 697 martyrs have been added to the official count following confirmation by the judicial committee overseeing notifications and missing persons cases.
Hamas delegation concludes Cairo talks on Gaza ceasefire
It is worth noting that a senior Hamas delegation, led by Mohammad Darwish, Chairman of the movement's Shura Council, departed Cairo on Saturday evening after holding a series of intensive talks with Egyptian officials. The discussions focused on securing a Gaza ceasefire, facilitating a prisoner exchange, and addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region.
In a statement following the talks, Hamas emphasized the urgency of reaching a ceasefire and the need for international support to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The delegation highlighted the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive agreement that would not only halt the violence but also address critical humanitarian issues.
The statement detailed Hamas’ vision for a lasting peace, which includes a "permanent ceasefire," the exchange of prisoners, and the urgent facilitation of humanitarian relief and reconstruction for the Gaza Strip. The delegation also drew attention to the "dire humanitarian situation" caused by more than two months of a severe blockade, imposed by Israeli occupation forces, which has restricted the entry of essential aid, food, and medical supplies.
Turkey vows action against PKK
In a separate statement, Fidan warned that certain parties seek to exploit the current situation in Syria, stressing that Turkiye stands firmly against such intentions.
He also asserted that the "measures taken against Daesh will likewise apply to the PKK, either through peace or by other means."
In February, Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), called on the group to lay down its arms and disband. In a letter read by Turkiye's pro-Kurdish DEM Party, Öcalan urged the PKK to convene a congress to formalize this decision.
However, the PKK pointed out that it was "impossible" for its leadership to convene and formally dissolve the group due to security concerns, Kurdish media reported.
"Every day (Turkish) reconnaissance planes are flying overhead, they are carrying out daily bombings and every day they are attacking," PKK co-leader Cemil Bayik told the Kurdish television station, Sterk TV.
Read more: 'Israel' needs to adapt to Turkey’s influence in Syria: Israeli media
