Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Friday, said Israel’s halting of attacks in Gaza was “crucial” for any successful peace initiative, according to a statement from Turkey’s presidential office.
Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey has increased diplomatic efforts tied to the peace process but warned that military operations undermine such efforts. The call was reportedly requested by the US side.
The remarks come after Erdoğan and Trump had a meeting last month, during which Erdoğan said they found “shared understanding” over how to move toward a Gaza ceasefire.
Turkish state outlets reported that Erdoğan urged Israel to “immediately cease” attacks and comply with Trump’s ceasefire proposals, describing Hamas’s latest response as a “constructive and significant step” toward lasting peace.
Following the leaders’ conversation, the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a written statement welcoming Hamas’s response to Trump’s ceasefire plan, saying it created “an opportunity for the immediate establishment of a ceasefire in Gaza” and the “uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid.” The ministry urged Israel to “immediately cease its attacks against the people of Gaza” and called for negotiations that would secure a truce and pave the way for a two-state solution.
With reporting by Agence France-Presse