Fidan said talks that Turkish officials have held with Hamas had shown the group would be more open to an agreement that goes beyond a ceasefire in Gaza and aims for a lasting solution to the crisis with Israel, including a two-state solution.
Later, a Turkish diplomatic source said Fidan had met with senior Hamas officials in Doha to discuss ceasefire negotiations and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“The Hamas side stated they continued working for a lasting ceasefire. They conveyed information about the meetings held in the past days,” the source said, adding Fidan had repeated that Turkey would continue international and bilateral efforts for peace in Gaza.
Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on Mar 18 after a January ceasefire collapsed, saying it would keep up pressure on Hamas until it frees the remaining hostages still held in the enclave. Up to 24 of them are believed to still be alive.
The Gaza war started after Hamas’ Oct 7 2023 attack which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel’s offensive on the enclave killed more than 51,400, according to local Palestinian health officials.
