Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin met with leaders of the Political Bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the capital Ankara on Friday and discussed with them the latest developments in the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
Anadolu Agency quoted Turkish security sources as saying that the meeting discussed issues “such as the final stage reached by the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Palestine, and the exchange of prisoners.”
According to the sources, the two sides discussed during the meeting “the concrete steps that can be taken to ensure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, which is witnessing a humanitarian tragedy, and to deliver more humanitarian aid to the region.”
During the meeting, “the constructive and positive position of Hamas during the negotiations was emphasized, and that Israel’s presentation of new conditions on the text of the proposal, which enjoys support and acceptance by the UN Security Council resolutions, increases the difficulty of reaching a ceasefire.”
Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) said that the intelligence agency is in contact with all parties, including Hamas, Qatar, the United States and Israel, and is making intensive diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Palestinian sector.
For nearly 10 months, the rounds of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been faltering, due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence on continuing the war on the Strip, and his adherence to the Philadelphi and Netzarim axes in the south and center of the Strip, while Hamas demands a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the return of the displaced without restrictions.
Despite Israeli obstacles, Doha’s mediation continues alongside Cairo and Washington to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and conclude a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas.