Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls for Palestinian unity in meeting with Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for Palestinian unity after engaging in hours-long discussions with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul. Amid Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza, Erdogan emphasized the importance of unity and integrity as the strongest response to Israel. The meeting took place at the Dolmabahce palace on the banks of the Bosphorus strait and lasted more than two and a half hours. Notably, Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, and Israel, is a rival of the Fatah faction that governs the semi-autonomous Palestinian Authority in the occupied West Bank.

As tensions escalate in the region, Erdogan also highlighted the need to maintain attention on Gaza despite recent events between Iran and Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned the meeting, expressing strong disapproval.

Turkey plays a significant role as one of Gaza’s primary humanitarian aid providers, dispatching 45,000 tons of supplies and medicine to the region.

Meanwhile, Israel has announced its readiness for an offensive in the Gazan city of Rafah. Additionally, the reported Israeli strike on Iran’s Isfahan province, which occurred in response to Iran’s direct attack on Israel, has further diminished prospects for a peace breakthrough.