DOHA (Palestine Foundation Information Center) A Hamas delegation briefed Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the latest developments regarding efforts to halt the Israeli aggression in Gaza and the outcomes of the Movement’s recent visit to Cairo.
The meeting, held in Doha on Sunday and headed by Hamas senior official Mohammed Darwish, was detailed in a statement issued by Hamas.
The statement noted that the Movement’s leadership is engaged in a series of visits and political meetings to discuss the proposal presented to mediators, aiming to achieve a comprehensive agreement that includes a ceasefire, prisoner exchange, relief efforts, and reconstruction.
The discussions also covered the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, as the Israeli occupation continues its policy of starvation and blocks the entry of essential food aid.
The delegation listened to the Turkish efforts aimed at ending the war and providing relief to the Palestinian people. It was agreed to maintain ongoing communication and political coordination during the coming period to help end the aggression against Gaza.
Earlier on Sunday, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, confirmed that ceasefire negotiations regarding Gaza had not stopped, emphasizing continued work on the latest proposal to which Hamas had responded.
In statements followed by “Sanad News Agency,” Sheikh Al Thani stated that Qatar remains in coordination with Egypt and other partners to advance to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza continued for the 41st consecutive day, amid severe famine and catastrophic living conditions faced by displaced civilians across the Strip.
Mediators from Qatar and Egypt had previously proposed a new plan for a long-term ceasefire in Gaza, lasting between five and seven years. According to Arab media, the proposal includes a prisoner swap in which Hamas would release all Israeli captives in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, an end to the war, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the devastated territory.
Qatar had played a central role alongside Egypt and the United States in reaching the temporary ceasefire agreement last November, which included the first prisoner exchange. However, negotiations collapsed following the resumption of Israeli aggression.
In a joint press conference held in Doha with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stressed that Qatar had discussed the renewed Israeli assault on Gaza with Türkiye.
The Qatari minister reiterated his country’s rejection of Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon against the Palestinian people, confirming that Qatar would continue its mediation efforts despite malicious disinformation campaigns.
He emphasized that the aim of the current negotiations is to secure the release of prisoners and end the war, asserting that Qatar’s dealings have been transparent and that Hamas has repeatedly declared its readiness to release all captives.
Sheikh Al Thani also refuted allegations that Qatar had incited student protests in the United States, describing such claims as “nonsense” and clarifying that Qatar’s relationships with American universities are limited to educational institutions based in Doha. He stressed that any funding provided by Qatar to educational or research institutions is fully transparent.
Highlighting Qatar’s role as a peace-loving nation that has mediated in numerous conflicts, Sheikh Al Thani mentioned that Qatar has been the subject of an orchestrated public relations campaign against it by Israel.
For his part, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan underlined that Türkiye’s strategic partnership with Qatar supports regional stability. He accused Israel of committing acts of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and obstructing the delivery of food aid, despite Palestinian willingness to agree to a ceasefire, accusing Tel Aviv of obstinacy.
Fidan thanked Qatar for its mediation efforts, stressing that the priority is to revive the ceasefire and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, reaffirming that the “key to peace” lies in achieving a two-state solution.
On Syria, Fidan remarked that sanctions on Damascus hinder stability and that Türkiye is working with its partners to lift them. He affirmed coordination with Qatar to stabilize Syria, cleanse it of terrorism, and oppose any interventions that violate Syrian sovereignty or involve external arming outside state control.
Fidan expressed hope for an environment in Syria that would secure equal rights for all ethnic and religious communities.
The Turkish minister’s visit to Qatar focuses on discussing various bilateral and regional issues, particularly those relating to Palestine and Syria.
