The foreign ministers of Turkey and Egypt will meet in Ankara on Wednesday to discuss the fragile ceasefire in Gaza and international efforts to rebuild the war-torn enclave, Reuters reported, citing a Turkish Foreign Ministry source.
Turkey, a NATO member and one of Israel’s strongest critics, has called the country’s two-year assault on Gaza a “genocide,” a charge Israel denies. Along with Egypt and Qatar, Ankara has played a mediating role in the ceasefire and has vowed to help oversee its implementation.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, for talks on the next stages of the US brokered truce, the source said. Fidan is expected to emphasize that “despite Israel’s violations, the Palestinian side is adhering to the conditions of the ceasefire and managing the process positively.”
He will also stress the need for international coordination to rebuild Gaza and reiterate Turkey’s willingness to take part in reconstruction and stabilization efforts, the source added.
Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the October truce, with Israel saying Hamas delayed the return of hostage remains and Hamas accusing Israel of obstructing aid deliveries.
Backed by Washington, Turkey has repeatedly offered to join international task forces to monitor the ceasefire, including a potential stabilization mission that would require a UN Security Council resolution. Israel, however, has publicly opposed any Turkish presence in Gaza.
The two ministers will also hold the first meeting of the Turkey-Egypt Joint Planning Group, which will bring together officials to prepare for high-level talks scheduled to take place in Cairo next year under a bilateral cooperation agreement signed in 2024.
Ankara has praised Cairo’s role in facilitating humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza and has sent thousands of tons of relief supplies. Turkey has also offered technical assistance in recovering the remains of Israeli hostages as part of the ceasefire deal.
Earlier this month ministers from seven Muslim countries met in İstanbul to discuss Gaza, although Egypt did not attend.
Fidan also had talks in Washington on Monday with US officials about both Syria and Gaza, saying afterward that the discussions focused on possible next steps in the ceasefire process.