Erdogan hails Hamas response as “constructive step” toward Gaza ceasefire

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed Hamas’s response to a ceasefire plan for Gaza, calling it a “constructive and significant step” toward lasting peace.

“Hamas’s response to the plan for the establishment of a ceasefire in Gaza constitutes a constructive and significant step towards the achievement of lasting peace. Israel must immediately halt all its attacks and comply with the ceasefire plan,” Erdogan wrote on X, Caliber.Az reports.

Hamas’s response to the plan for the establishment of a ceasefire in Gaza constitutes a constructive and significant step towards the achievement of lasting peace.

Israel must immediately halt all its attacks and comply with the ceasefire plan.…

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) October 3, 2025

He stressed that urgent measures must be taken to allow the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

“As Türkiye, we will continue to strive with all our means to ensure that the negotiations yield the most beneficial outcome for the Palestinian people and that the two-state solution, supported by the international community, is brought into effect," he added.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also issued a statement, underscoring Ankara’s support for Hamas’s response to the plan announced by US President Donald Trump.

“We consider that the response delivered today [October 3] by Hamas to the plan announced by US President Trump, provides an opportunity for the immediate establishment of a ceasefire in Gaza, uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to the region, and paves the way for taking steps toward the attainment of a lasting peace,” the ministry said.

The statement called on Israel to cease its military operations and urged all parties to “commence without delay the negotiations that will secure a ceasefire and to implement the two-state solution, which enjoys the support of the international community.”

“Türkiye will continue to support the negotiations and to provide constructive contributions,” it added.

Earlier, Hamas declared its readiness to release all Israeli captives, both living and dead, in exchange for an end to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave. The group said the move would be carried out within the framework of Trump’s proposed plan for Gaza.

By Sabina Mammadli