A Turkish Foreign Ministry source said on Tuesday that the foreign ministers of Turkey and Egypt will meet in Ankara on Wednesday to discuss the ceasefire in Gaza and international efforts to rebuild the sector following the two-year war.
اضافة اعلان
Turkey, a NATO member, has been one of the harshest critics of Israel’s war on Gaza, describing it as a “genocide,” a characterization Israel rejects. Alongside Egypt and Qatar, Turkey played a key role in mediating the current fragile ceasefire and has committed to monitoring its strict implementation.
According to the source, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdel Aati to discuss the next possible steps regarding the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Fidan is expected to highlight Palestinian compliance with the ceasefire despite Israeli violations, and stress the need for global assistance in Gaza’s reconstruction, reiterating Turkey’s offer to participate in such efforts.
Israel and Hamas continue to accuse each other of violating the ceasefire. Israel claims Hamas is delaying the return of captured remains, while Hamas says Israel is obstructing humanitarian aid delivery.
Turkey has repeatedly expressed its desire to join a monitoring team for the ceasefire, including participation in a potential international stabilization force that the UN Security Council is considering. Israel, however, opposes Turkish involvement, stating that Turkish forces will not be allowed in Gaza.
The two ministers will also hold the first meeting of the Turkish-Egyptian Joint Planning Group, involving officials preparing for high-level talks planned in Cairo next year under an agreement signed last year.
Ankara has praised Egypt for its role in facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza and continues to send thousands of tons of aid, as well as assisting Hamas in recovering the remains of Israelis under the agreement.
Earlier this month, foreign ministers from seven Islamic countries met in Istanbul to discuss Gaza, but Egypt did not participate. Fidan also met U.S. officials in Washington on Monday to discuss Syria and Gaza, reviewing possible next steps related to the ceasefire.
