We Have Firmly Supported the Ceasefire from the Very Beginning, Says Turkey's Foreign Minister

The aggressive actions of Israel in the region could intensify after the U.S. presidential elections. If the country attempts to eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities, the likelihood of the conflict expanding into other states will increase, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned.

“Israel's primary goal is to expel the Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and from the West Bank to Jordan. Such a scenario would lead to even greater instability in the region. Israel may not limit itself to military actions after the U.S. elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may take steps to eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities. If this occurs, the probability of the conflict spreading to other countries will increase,” the minister stated in an interview with Hurriyet newspaper.

Fidan also emphasized that Israel continues to impose new conditions in negotiations with the Palestinian Hamas movement. “This shows that Israel is using negotiations to buy time for its military objectives. From the very beginning, we have firmly supported the ceasefire, but we have told both parties that Netanyahu is stalling negotiations to buy time,” the Turkish Foreign Minister added.

He noted that there have been certain shifts in negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but it is crucial to achieve a ceasefire that will initiate an irrevocable change in Israeli operations. “In our last meeting with the representatives of Hamas, we discussed the situation, the ceasefire, and the need for humanitarian aid,” Fidan stated.