Turkey, Qatar continue efforts for truce in Gaza

ANKARA

U.S. Secretary of State Kerry, Qatari Foreign Minister al-Attiyah and Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu walk down a staircase at the Turkish ambassador's residence in Paris, July 26. REUTERS Photo

Turkish and Qatar continue efforts for a lasting cease-fire between Hamas and Israel, as the death toll in Gaza exceeds 1,700 as of Aug. 3.

Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah paid a working visit to Ankara late Aug. 2 to hold a meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. Regional allies, Turkey and Qatar have long been exerting efforts for a comprehensive cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel since the beginning of the Israeli ground operation into Gaza.

The Turkish and Qatari ministers held the meeting just before a Hamas delegation went to Cairo for new rounds of negotiations for a cease-fire.  “Joint efforts to establish a cease-fire in Gaza were evaluated, as well as other issues related to the Middle East and bilateral relations were discussed during the meeting The ministers particularly exchanged views on steps that can be taken with the aim of establishing calm and defusing the tension in Gaza, following Israel’s assaults on Gaza,” read the statement issued by the Foreign Ministry after the conference between Davutoğlu and al-Attiyah.

It also informed that the two ministers held a teleconference with U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, without detailing the content of the talk.