İbrahim Kalın, Turkey’s spy chief, has met with leaders of Hamas’s political bureau in Ankara to discuss the latest developments in negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, Turkish state broadcaster TRT reported on Friday.
According to security sources cited by TRT, the meeting focused on achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and increasing the flow of humanitarian aid to the region, which is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis. Both parties evaluated concrete steps to advance these goals.
According to TRT, Kalın highlighted Hamas’s “constructive and positive attitude” during the negotiation process. He also noted that Israel’s introduction of new conditions to the mutually agreed-upon proposal — supported by United Nations Security Council resolutions — has complicated efforts to establish a ceasefire.
TRT report said Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization, led by Kalın, is conducting intensive diplomatic efforts with all involved parties, including Hamas, Israel, Egypt, Qatar and the United States, to broker a ceasefire in Gaza.
Turkey has denounced Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The conflict escalated after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 41,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Ankara’s engagement with Hamas has been a point of contention with its Western allies, who have criticized Turkey for providing a safe haven for Hamas officials. While countries like Canada, the European Union, Israel, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, Turkey does not.