Türkiye urges US to pressure Israel for permanent Gaza ceasefire

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urged Washington to exert pressure on Israel to secure a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

"During the conversation, which took place at the request of the American side, the negotiation process between Israel and Hamas and the escalating tensions in the region were discussed," Caliber.Az reports via Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Oncu Keceli’s tweet.

Fidan pointed to the death of Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and the ongoing violence against Palestinians as evidence that Israel is not pursuing peace in the region.

Highlighting that Hamas had previously shown a constructive attitude towards a ceasefire, Minister Fidan emphasized the need to pressure Israel to achieve a lasting ceasefire. He also expressed concern over rising regional tensions, urging Israel to refrain from provocative actions that could further escalate the situation, the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson added.