‘Reject the Occupation’s Aggression’: Turkish Foreign Minister’s Supportive Words for Hamas at Meeting in Qatar

Latest Developments

• Hamas in Doha: Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and head of intelligence Ibrahim Kalin met with a delegation from Hamas led by senior official Ismail Darwish on October 21. The meeting took place in the Qatari capital of Doha, the location of an Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas’s senior leadership on September 9. Hamas praised Turkey’s alleged assistance in mediating the ceasefire between the terrorist organization and Israel, while Fidan emphasized Turkey’s “support for the Palestinian people and its resolute stance in rejecting the occupation’s aggression, stressing that the occupation must be forced to implement the ceasefire agreement, resume humanitarian aid inflows, and immediately begin reconstruction,” according to Turkish media reports.
• Vice President Praises Turkey: Vice President J.D. Vance praised Turkey’s role in negotiations for the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza during his visit to Israel on October 21, saying that the United States was “grateful” for and is planning on “the Turks to play … a constructive role” in maintaining the ceasefire. However, he stressed that Israel must vet and approve all foreign troops deployed to Gaza.
• Israel Refusing To Allow Turkish Delegation Into Gaza: Israel is refusing to allow a Turkish rescue delegation with heavy equipment into Gaza until Hamas returns the remains of all the murdered hostages it still holds captive. Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly strongly opposed to any Turkish troops in Gaza as part of an International Stabilization Force (ISF). President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for a lasting ceasefire in the enclave stipulates that ISF would be deployed in Gaza, consisting of troops deployed by “Arab and international partners.” The ISF would “train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and … help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces.” 

FDD Expert Response 

“Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to leverage Trump’s recent praise for Turkey’s role in facilitating the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. But Erdogan’s unwavering embrace of Hamas leaves Ankara without the credibility, trust, or impartiality required to shape Gaza’s future. Despite constant pressure applied by Erdogan to include Turkish troops as part of the stabilization force, they are unlikely to be dispatched to Gaza, owing to Israel’s suspicion that Ankara would use this as an opportunity to help Hamas rearm and reorganize.” — Sinan Ciddi, Senior Fellow

“Concerns over Qatari and Turkish involvement in various aspects of New Gaza are valid. Is there a deal we haven’t been told about where both countries agree to cut off Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood? If they are still their sponsors, isn’t it obvious they’ll seek to help them?” — Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor

FDD Background and Analysis 

“‘Impatience With Hamas’: Vance Expresses Confidence in Prospects for ‘Durable’ Peace in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Erdogan’s Turkey Wants to Be a Key Player in Post-war Gaza. It’s a Fantasy,” by Sinan Ciddi

“Erdogan’s private military company looks to raise an Islamist army,” by Tyler Stapleton and Sinan Ciddi