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Hamas, the armed group currently controlling the Gaza Strip, is prepared to transfer its administrative authority to a Palestinian committee, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said following a high-level meeting in Istanbul on the situation in Gaza.
The gathering brought together the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, along with representatives from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, to address the ongoing ceasefire and humanitarian conditions in the enclave.
Fidan said Israel has killed about 250 Palestinians since the ceasefire began and must stop provocations while allowing international humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. He added that Israel continues to violate the Oct. 10 truce, blocking aid deliveries as supplies remain in storage depots.
The Turkish minister reiterated that Türkiye is willing to make sacrifices to achieve peace but stressed that any action must be based on a clear framework.
"Before any deployment of a task force to Gaza, its definition, mandate, and authorization must be agreed upon. Countries will decide whether to contribute troops accordingly," he said, noting that the plan would require approval by the U.N. Security Council, where a single veto could block implementation.
Fidan underlined that Türkiye supports a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, emphasizing that Palestinians should govern their own territory and ensure their own security. He said Gaza needs reconstruction and recovery after months of devastation.
"Our view is that Palestinians should manage Palestine, and security should be ensured by Palestinians themselves," he said, adding that regional cooperation and patience are essential to achieving lasting stability.
"No action that undermines the ceasefire should be allowed. This process requires patience and determination," Fidan added.
The removal of Hamas’s administration in Gaza is among the key elements of the 20-point ceasefire plan introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump, which entered its first phase on Oct. 10.
The foreign ministers are expected to continue consultations on the structure of the proposed committee and the conditions for its establishment in coordination with the Palestinian Authority and international organizations.
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