Turkey’s Fidan meets new Hamas political chief Khalil al-Hayya on first foreign visit since election

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met the newly elected head of Hamas’ political bureau, Khalil al-Hayya, and his accompanying delegation in the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Wednesday.

The meeting marked al-Hayya’s first foreign visit since he was elected head of Hamas’ political bureau on 20 July.

According to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources, Fidan congratulated al-Hayya on his election and wished him success in his new role.

During the meeting, al-Hayya briefed Fidan on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. He said the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had intensified what he described as illegal settlement activities and attacks on holy sites in Jerusalem.

Al-Hayya also said Hamas continued to take what he described as a constructive approach in peace negotiations.

He also updated the Turkish side on the latest efforts to achieve Palestinian reconciliation.

For his part, Fidan reaffirmed Turkey’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause in all fields and international forums.

He said Turkey would continue working to keep what it described as crimes committed by Netanyahu’s government in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as attacks on holy sites, on the international community’s agenda. He added that Ankara would continue making every effort to deliver more humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Fidan also reaffirmed Turkey’s continued support for the Gaza peace process and expressed appreciation for the role Hamas was playing in that process.

Turkish media reported that the meeting also covered a number of other regional issues.