ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held an important meeting with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at the presidential office in Ankara here on Wednesday, official Anadolu news agency reported. The meeting, held behind closed doors, signifies Turkey’s continued commitment to the Palestinian cause amid escalating violence in the West Bank.
The meeting comes amidst a backdrop of evolving diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to visit Turkey this week, but the visit was postponed due to his recent surgery and ongoing protests in Israel over contentious judicial reform.
Over the past year, Turkey and Israel have witnessed an improvement in their bilateral ties, marked by several high-level visits, including the presence of Israel’s President Isaac Herzog in Turkey.
Erdogan Reaffirms Turkey’s Support for Palestinian Cause
In his meeting with Palestinian President Abbas on Tuesday, President Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and expressed concerns over the surge of violence in the West Bank in recent months.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry reported that Israeli troops had killed a Palestinian individual in a Nablus refugee camp. The Israeli army confirmed the incident, stating it was part of “counter-terrorism activity” in the area.
The meeting in Ankara between President Erdogan, President Abbas, and Hamas leader Haniyeh signifies a concerted effort to address the ongoing tensions and conflicts in the region. Further developments are expected as leaders continue to engage in dialogues and diplomatic initiatives.
