Turkey signals Hamas could hand over power in Gaza, as Turks seek influence in Strip
Emirati newspaper Al-Ain pointed out that recent actions taken by the Turkish government might indicate point to Hamas adharence to the ceasefire, while the Turks seek to gain influence in the Strip.
Turkey is signaling that Hamas could hand over power in Gaza, Al-Ain media in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said. Turkey is seeking to play a greater role in Gaza. As part of this initiative, it is holding a meeting in Istanbul geared toward discussing the future administration and reconstruction of Gaza. It also discussed the international stabilization force that is expected to be created for Gaza.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Monday that countries are “still working on a UN Security Council mandate for an international stabilisation force in Gaza, and will decide on any troop deployments once a framework is complete,” Reuters noted.
Fidan was speaking as ministers of Muslim countries arrived to meet in Istanbul. According to reports, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia were supposed to send representatives to Turkey. “Countries are still working on a UN Security Council mandate for an international stabilization force in Gaza, and will decide on any troop deployments once a framework is complete,” Al-Ain media reported.
"Hamas is ready to hand over power,” the report said. “Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan explained at a press conference at the conclusion of the meeting that Hamas is ready to hand over the administration of Gaza to a committee formed by the Palestinians,” the same Al-Ain article said.
“It seems that Hamas is quite determined to adhere to the agreement,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told delegates from the Organization of Islamic States (OIC) as they arrived in Istanbul for a separate meeting.
This is important, but it also shows the slow progress taking place in Gaza. The ceasefire deal was agreed on October 8. The ceasefire began on the 13th. Since then, Hamas has turned over the living hostages and the bodies of twenty deceased hostages as well. Turkey’s role in Gaza is seen as controversial in Israel. This is because Ankara has been deeply critical of Israel, to the point of inciting against Jerusalem.
Turkey is also a member of NATO and thus a partner of the US. US Central Command has created a coordination center in Israel to focus on Gaza. However, Ankara’s potential role in stabilization is still unclear. Turkey has hosted and appeared to back Hamas in the past. Therefore, it’s plausible that Ankara has influence over Hamas and would be welcomed in Gaza. However, that could mean it would help Hamas remain in power behind the scenes.
Turkey meets with representatives from Muslim countries, Arab world
The new report says the Ankara meeting was attended by foreign ministers and representatives of several Arab and Muslim countries. Turkey said “that the issue of rebuilding Gaza must be pursued so that the sector can recover, stressing the need for Israel to immediately stop its attacks on the Gaza Strip.”
Ankara’s foreign minister also called for the necessity of achieving Palestinian unity, and that no action should be allowed that would spoil the peace process. "He noted that the meeting discussed the International Stabilization Force, calling on the UN Security Council to define the force's mission,” Al-Ain reported.
Ankara is seeking a wider role in Gaza and also wants to see progress begin on various issues in Gaza. Turkey also believes Hamas has complied with the ceasefire. Turkey and Qatar are close allies, and both have hosted and worked with Hamas in the past. This raises concerns if Ankara and Doha play the leading role in Gaza.