Turkish Foreign Minister discusses ceasefire talks with U.S. Secretary of State
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan engaged in a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday, as confirmed by Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli.
The discussion, initiated at the request of the U.S., focused on the ongoing ceasefire negotiations in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and regional developments.
Last week, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar announced in Doha that they had presented a "bridging proposal" to Israel and Hamas. The proposal aimed to close "remaining gaps" in the negotiations and expedite the implementation of a ceasefire deal. However, Hamas criticized the proposal, arguing that it aligns with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conditions, which include rejecting a permanent ceasefire, maintaining control over key strategic areas in Gaza, and continuing the occupation.
The ongoing Israeli aggression has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Local health authorities report that over 40,170 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, and more than 92,740 have been injured. The ongoing Israeli blockade has exacerbated the situation, resulting in severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies, leaving much of the region in ruins.
The International Court of Justice has received accusations of genocide against Israel and has ordered a halt to military operations in Rafah, where over one million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6. Despite international calls for restraint, Israel has continued its military offensive in Gaza.
The U.S. President Joe Biden previously mentioned that Israel had proposed a three-phase plan to end hostilities in Gaza, secure the release of hostages, and eventually withdraw its military forces, paving the way for a surge in aid and a permanent cessation of hostilities. The plan remains a critical point of contention in the ongoing negotiations. (ILKHA)