Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan meets newly elected Hamas leader
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has met Khalil al-Hayya, the newly elected head of the political bureau in Hamas, as well as a delegation from the Palestinian group.
Fidan congratulated Hayya on his appointment during Thursday’s meeting, sources within Turkey’s foreign ministry said, according to the semi-official Anadolu Agency.
Hayya briefed Fidan on Israel’s continuing attacks across Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
At least six Palestinians were killed and 25 others wounded in Israeli air attacks across Gaza overnight on Thursday and Friday.
He said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government had accelerated illegal settlement expansion and intensified attacks on holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Hayya said Hamas remained committed to a constructive role in peace negotiations. He also outlined efforts to secure reconciliation between Palestinian factions.
Fidan reaffirmed Turkey’s support for the Palestinians’ “just cause” across diplomatic forums and international institutions.
He said Ankara would continue drawing global attention to Israel’s crimes in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including its attacks on holy sites.
Fidan also pledged to increase humanitarian assistance entering the besieged Gaza Strip and maintain Turkey’s support for the peace process.
The Turkish foreign minister praised Hamas’s role in negotiations aimed at ending Israel’s war on Gaza.
Hamas elected Hayya as the new head of its political bureau on 20 July, the third leader of the group since Israel's genocidal war on Gaza began in October 2023, following the Hamas-led attack on Israel. Israel has killed four of his sons: Osama, Hamza, Hammam and Azzam.
Hayya, who is based in Qatar, succeeds Yahya Sinwar, who took charge after Israel assassinated Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July 2024. Israeli forces killed Sinwar during fighting in Rafah three months later.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
