Türkiye’s Kalin Hosts Hamas Delegation to Discuss Gaza Peace Plan

Turkey’s MIT chief Ibrahim Kalin met with Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya and a delegation in Ankara to discuss Israel’s attacks in Gaza, the worsening humanitarian crisis, West Bank settler violence, and Al-Aqsa restrictions. The talks focused on advancing the Gaza peace plan, and Hamas expressed gratitude to Turkey and President Erdogan for supporting peace efforts.

According to Turkish security sources, the chief of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT), Ibrahim Kalin, held a high-level meeting with Khalil al-Hayya, the head of Hamas’s political bureau negotiating team, along with an accompanying delegation from Hamas, to discuss the deteriorating situation in Gaza and the broader Palestinian territories. The meeting took place in Ankara on Tuesday and was described as an important diplomatic engagement aimed at addressing both the immediate humanitarian concerns and the ongoing political challenges in the region.
During the discussions, officials focused extensively on Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, which have intensified in recent weeks and resulted in significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The humanitarian situation was described as worsening, with access to essential services, medical care, and humanitarian aid increasingly restricted. Participants also addressed the issue of illegal settler violence in the occupied West Bank, which continues to create tension and exacerbate the security situation for Palestinian civilians. In addition, the delegation raised concerns about restrictions imposed on worshippers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, an issue that has historically inflamed political and religious sensitivities in the region.
Turkish officials stressed the importance of Israel adhering to its obligations under the first phase of the Gaza peace plan, which was agreed upon as a framework to stabilize the situation and prevent further escalation. The meeting included a detailed review of the steps needed to advance the second phase of the plan, focusing on measures to reduce violence, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, and create conditions conducive to longer-term peace negotiations.
The Hamas delegation expressed appreciation for Türkiye’s sustained diplomatic efforts to promote peace in Gaza, emphasizing their gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for Ankara’s ongoing engagement and support. The delegation highlighted the role of Türkiye as a key mediator in regional efforts to de-escalate tensions and facilitate dialogue between the parties. In addition to the meeting with MIT chief Kalin, the Hamas delegation also held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, further underlining Türkiye’s central role in coordinating diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the humanitarian and political crises in Gaza and the Palestinian territories.