Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (Anatolia)

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Israel is holding Gaza residents hostage, noting that Tel Aviv appears “unenthusiastic” about a permanent ceasefire in the Strip.

In statements he made to a local channel yesterday, Sunday, Fidan confirmed that the people of Gaza are now hostages, as Israel detains them in a specific geographical area and does not allow humanitarian aid to enter, bombs some of that aid, destroys infrastructure, and cuts off electricity, water, and communications.

The Turkish Foreign Minister pointed out that more than two million people in Gaza face the risk of hunger and epidemic diseases.

On the other hand, Fidan said that Israel does not seek to achieve security, but rather to obtain more lands, and stressed that it "will be safe on the day it gives the Palestinians their state."

He stressed that the temporary measures decision issued by the International Court of Justice against Israel in the case of genocide is very important, stressing the need to stop the massacre in Gaza in the first place, otherwise if the violence is not stopped, the tragedy will repeat itself.

Fidan said that there is currently a proposal on the table for a ceasefire agreement, and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) is now evaluating it, noting that one of Hamas’ goals is to mutually release prisoners and detainees in exchange for a permanent ceasefire.

The Turkish minister added, "However, Israel does not seem enthusiastic about a permanent ceasefire."

He stated that Turkey is holding intelligence and diplomatic talks with the parties in various formats, pointing out that it gives priority to a ceasefire as soon as possible. He stressed the need to take action to support the two-state solution.

The Turkish Foreign Minister called for sparing the region the dangers of a widening clash between Iran and the United States of America. "The situation is not good," he said.

The devastating Israeli war on the Gaza Strip has been going on for more than 4 months (Anatolia)

Normalization with Egypt and Syria

In another context, Fidan pointed out that the process of normalizing relations with Egypt has been “largely completed” and that the two countries “have benefited from it,” adding that the Turkish and Egyptian peoples are linked to each other by historical ties.

He stressed that bilateral relations between Turkey and Egypt are very important in terms of regional security and trade relations. He pointed out that there are many Turkish investors in Egypt, and said that Ankara has a desire to increase investments there.

Fidan also stressed the importance of the Egyptian role at the regional level, especially with regard to the Palestinian issue. He pointed out the importance of normalizing relations so that Cairo can obtain specific support and specific technologies, adding, "We have an agreement that stipulates that Turkey will provide drones and other technologies."

He stressed the importance of the two countries' cooperation in Africa as well, especially in Libya, noting that whenever relations with Egypt were normalized, this would have important positive repercussions, especially on policies in Libya. He also stressed the importance of achieving serious cooperation between Turkey and Egypt regarding “the security of the Mediterranean.”

Fidan also touched on the talks that take place between his country and the Syrian regime from time to time through various channels.

He explained that "the Syrian regime's attempt to take a diplomatic step by setting preconditions on Turkey is the wrong way."

The Turkish minister stressed his country's support for Syria's territorial integrity, as two neighboring countries, adding that Turkey had not made any attempts that contradict the Astana process.

He stressed that "the Syrian regime is still unable to meet with Turkey for various reasons, and even when they meet with us they are not as usual."

The Turkish Foreign Minister added, "There was no opportunity to hold a bilateral meeting with the Syrian regime, and there is always another country on its side."

Source: Anadolu Agency