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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said U.S. President Donald Trump asked Türkiye to speak with Hamas and persuade the group to accept a Gaza peace plan, and that Hamas has responded positively to the mediation efforts.
"(Mr.) Trump specifically requested that we speak with Hamas and persuade Hamas," Erdogan stated on Wednesday, speaking to reporters on Tuesday after he visited Azerbaijan for the 12th Organization of Turkic States Summit.
"We immediately made contact with our counterparts on this issue," he added.
President Erdogan stated that the request was made during both his visit to the United States and their most recent phone call.
Hamas has expressed readiness for peace and negotiations following Türkiye's mediation, Erdogan said.
"Hamas, with the response it gave, expressed to us that it is ready for peace and negotiations," Erdogan said, adding, "It did not enter into a contrary discourse. This is a very valuable step, in my opinion. Hamas is going ahead of Israel."
Erdogan emphasized the significance of Hamas's position given the group's losses in the conflict.
"Why am I saying this? Because it suffered so many losses," Erdogan said, noting, "It has over 100,000 wounded."
"All the places they stayed were razed to the ground. They no longer even have anywhere to shelter."
He contrasted Hamas's response with Israel's position, saying Türkiye has not seen Israel display similar constructive attitudes.
"We do not expect such an attitude from them either," Erdogan said.
The Turkish president stated that he explained to Trump how a solution in Palestine could be achieved during both his US visit and their most recent phone call.
"I told (Mr). Trump that we support his peace efforts," Erdogan said, adding, "We also announced this to the public."
He said Türkiye is prepared to support all efforts for Gaza peace, including potential roles in a peace council and international stability force proposed under Trump's peace plan.
"When we say 'we will support all efforts,' we made this statement considering all possibilities," Erdogan said.
Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye's priority is achieving an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire.
"First, we must achieve this," Erdogan said.
"It is essential that humanitarian aid reaches Gaza without interruption as soon as possible," he noted.
He said he places great importance on the negotiations underway in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where Turkish officials will be participating.
"We are hopeful about a permanent ceasefire and peace, but at the same time we are cautious," Erdogan said, adding, "We hope Israel keeps its promises and does not take steps that will sabotage this peace."
President Erdogan described the Gaza situation as devastating, noting 67,000 Palestinians killed and more than 169,000 wounded, with some suggesting the actual toll, including those under rubble, may reach 600,000.
"What Israel is doing is not legitimate defense; it is planned genocide and terrorism," Erdogan said.
"Those who turned a blind eye to the massacres Israel brazenly carried out before everyone's eyes have been recorded in the shame records of human history," he stated.
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The Turkish president stated that Ankara will work to eliminate the Israel-Palestine problem based on a two-state solution.
"We will try; we will make an effort," Erdogan said, noting, "We hope that we will succeed in this with the support you give."
He emphasized that Palestinians know Türkiye protects and safeguards Palestine's interests.
"We defend the rights of oppressed Gazans and our brothers in other parts of Palestine as if we were defending ourselves," Erdogan concluded.
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