Erdoğan steps up diplomatic efforts amid Israeli-Hamas conflict

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is intensifying diplomatic efforts to mediate peace between Israel and Palestine, engaging in high-level phone talks with leaders from the Middle East.

Erdoğan held discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which he underscored his country's commitment to delivering aid to civilians impacted by the attacks, according to Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

The Turkish leader emphasized the necessity for constructive messages from regional countries to halt the bombing of civilian settlements, labeling such actions as unacceptable.

In a separate phone conversation with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Erdoğan stressed that positive steps from the international community, particularly regional nations, are crucial in resolving the tension.

Erdoğan also engaged with Jordan's King Abdullah II, addressing humanitarian challenges arising in the conflict zone. The two explored viable solutions at both regional and global levels to ensure peace and tranquility, while the Turkish president reiterated Türkiye's readiness to provide support, including mediation, to de-escalate the situation.

During another telephone call with his Algerian counterpart, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Erdoğan emphasized the significance of pursuing a just peace through negotiations. He called for extensive support from the international community for "Türkiye's sincere and peaceful initiatives."

Erdoğan’s recent engagements build upon prior meetings with a group of leaders, including Israeli President Yitzak Herzog and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Since the recent conflict's onset with Hamas' surprise onslaught, Erdoğan has been repeatedly calling for immediate action to address the escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine, expressing Türkiye's readiness to "mediate and facilitate dialogue between the conflicting parties."

Meanwhile, the Turkish president has launched a negotiation process with Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages kidnapped by the Palestinian militants, an official source told AFP.

"They are negotiating to secure the release of the hostages," the source said, confirming a series of local reports.

Dozens of people have been taken hostage during Hamas's surprise attack on Israel.