On Wednesday, the Turkish government extended a warm reception to a delegation from Hamas, expressing solidarity with their cause and criticizing what it termed as the “genocide” perpetrated by Israel in its self-defense efforts.
According to a Turkish news outlet, Muhammad Ismail Darwish, the head of Hamas’ Islamic Shura Council, met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara. They were there to “talk about ceasefire negotiations in Gaza and the escalating humanitarian situation.” Darwish stands out as one of the few high-ranking leaders still involved with Hamas after a series of Israeli operations targeting its leadership. Israeli airstrikes also led to the death of political leader Ismail Hanie in July 2024, and Yahya Singwar, another key figure, was eliminated in October.
Hamas, an organization backed by Iran, is often associated with violent intents, particularly aimed at the destruction of Israel. The current hostilities began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a coordinated attack on Israel resulting in devastating civilian casualties, including approximately 1,200 deaths.
Turkey has continuously downplayed the threat posed by Hamas, consistently placing blame on Israel for their responses. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a prominent figure in Turkish politics, has frequently claimed, “Hamas is not a terrorist organization,” asserting that the roots of the violence are justifiable.
Fidan reportedly stated that Turkey’s “priority is to stop the Gaza massacre,” while also emphasizing the need for immediate humanitarian relief. He pointed to ongoing Israeli actions which aim to prevent further assaults similar to those witnessed on October 7.
“He assured that Turkey would not let the recent regional tensions distract from the ongoing crisis in Gaza,” as cited by the state-run Anadolu agency, with Fidan reiterating commitment to Hamas “until Palestine is liberated.”
Earlier this year in January, Turkey also welcomed a Hamas delegation led by Darwish, with Erdogan attending the conference. He proclaimed during that meeting that Hamas’ ongoing struggle showed the enduring spirit of resistance and promised continued exposure of Gaza’s realities.
As for recent developments, Hamas representatives are currently reviewing a ceasefire proposal mediated by the United States, which reportedly suggests a 60-day hiatus in hostilities in exchange for the release of hostages taken during the initial attack. Israeli authorities believe that around 50 hostages are still held by Hamas, with about 20 confirmed alive.
There’s anticipation that Hamas may respond soon. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has been vocal about encouraging acceptance of this agreement aimed at halting the conflict, suggesting that both American and Egyptian mediators are instrumental in crafting this proposal. “Israel has granted the necessary conditions for a 60-day ceasefire, and we’ll work together to bring an end to the war,” he stated on his platform.
While there’s no indication that Turkey is directly involved in the ceasefire negotiations, the country has actively supported Hamas, with Erdogan organizing large-scale demonstrations to support the group following the October 7 attacks, dismissing the fatalities of its members.
“Hamas is not a terrorist organization,” Erdogan asserted during a rally in Istanbul. He noted that the Israeli government’s recognition and reaction to Hamas’ actions should be viewed as unjust.
Despite being a significant player within NATO and facing considerable pressure to distance itself from Hamas due to its ambitions of EU membership, Erdogan has maintained that Hamas represents the “Palestinian reality” and its support aligns with Turkey’s national interests. It’s noteworthy that Hamas has not held elections since 2006 and is reportedly suppressing Palestinians in Gaza who dissent against its governance.
In a released commentary, some Palestinians have voiced their frustrations, claiming that Hamas has neglected the welfare of Gaza’s residents. One individual lamented, “[Hamas] should have handed over hostages to strip Israel of their excuses,” and expressed deep dissatisfaction with the group’s actions regarding the ongoing suffering in the area.
Another distressed individual voiced, “I lost everything. What has Hamas done for me? They haven’t helped at all,” indicating a disconnection between the leaders’ rhetoric and the ground realities faced by ordinary citizens.
