Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that US President Donald Trump asked Ankara to persuade Hamas to participate in the resolution process of the Palestinian conflict.
According to **Modern.az**, Erdoğan stated this in a statement to journalists:
"During our visit to the US and our last phone conversation, we discussed possible solutions to the Palestinian issue with President Trump. He specifically asked us to meet with Hamas and convince them to agree to negotiations. We immediately contacted our partners regarding this matter".
He stated that Turkey supports Trump's efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully and that Hamas is ready for negotiations without controversial rhetoric.
“I believe this is a very valuable step”, the president added.
Erdoğan also emphasized that Israel has not yet demonstrated a constructive approach to the process. "We will strive to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution. All Palestinians know that Turkey defends the interests of Palestine. Just as we defend our own rights, we will also defend the rights of the oppressed people of Gaza".
It should be noted that today, negotiations on the settlement of the situation in Gaza are being held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
R.T. Erdoğan said that Turkey hopes for a positive outcome in the negotiations between representatives of the radical Hamas group and Israel in Egypt.
"Hamas clearly demonstrated its commitment to peace by responding positively to Trump's peace plan. The negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh are important. We hope to receive good news", the president said.
The Turkish leader emphasized that a ceasefire is necessary for peace to be established in the Middle East.
Referring to Donald Trump's proposed peace plan, Erdoğan said, "Peace is not a one-winged bird. Placing the entire burden of peace on the Palestinians and Hamas is unfair, wrong, and unrealistic. A ceasefire and a just peace are the most reasonable options".
He also noted that today the biggest problem is the strikes carried out by the Israel Defense Forces on the Gaza Strip.
