FM says Türkiye, Qatar will continue cooperation

DOHA

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has affirmed Türkiye's commitment to working closely with Qatar to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

"We do not accept the attack that hit civilians in Gaza. Israel must immediately recant from this mistake," Fidan said during a joint press conference with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Doha on Oct. 25.

Türkiye's top diplomat further warned that an Israeli ground operation would escalate the situation, turning brutality into a massacre. Fidan emphasized the need for Israel to understand that permanent security "cannot be achieved through armed violence" and stressed the importance of establishing an independent Palestinian state.

The minister reiterated his proposal for the implementation of a "guarantee mechanism to oversee the obligations of the parties" involved in the ongoing conflict. The proposal was initially made during a Cairo summit on Oct. 21, where Fidan called for concrete steps to be taken toward a peaceful resolution.

Praising Qatar's humanitarian efforts in Gaza, Fidan said, "As Türkiye and Qatar, we will continue to be in communication," he stated. Fidan urged an immediate ceasefire and the opening of an aid corridor to address the pressing needs of the people in Gaza.

Highlighting the urgency of finding a lasting solution, he emphasized the necessity of a two-state solution and urged the international community, particularly the West, to "exert rational pressure on Israel."

"Our region is literally at a turning point. We will either go to a bigger war or a bigger peace," Fidan stated.

For his part, Al Thani mentioned "some progress" in hostage negotiations, indicating potential developments in the conflict.