Ankara: Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin has engaged in discussions with officials from Hamas’ political bureau regarding ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as reported by Turkey’s semi-official Anadolu Agency.
Kalin held phone discussions with Hamas representatives to assess the progress and current state of Gaza ceasefire negotiations, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Anadolu.
Both sides reportedly emphasised the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire.
Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel in Qatar’s capital, Doha, have made significant progress toward a ceasefire agreement, Palestinian and Israeli officials confirmed on Monday.
A senior Hamas official stated that the group had delivered a “positive” response to a draft ceasefire agreement presented by mediators in Doha. An official involved in the negotiation process, who requested anonymity, said, “Hamas did not express any objections to the draft, and hopes a ceasefire will be reached as soon as possible to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in the coastal enclave.”
The official added, “We are currently awaiting the final Israeli response.”
Earlier on Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed that “progress” had been achieved during the discussions in Qatar, adding that Israel was “working hard to reach a deal.”
The indirect talks between Israel and Hamas resumed in Qatar on 3 January, following earlier negotiations hosted by Egypt, aimed at achieving a truce in Gaza.
Despite months of mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, no long-term ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas since the first truce, which lasted a week from November to December 2023.
On 7 October 2023, Hamas militants launched an attack on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages. Of these, 98 remain in captivity in Gaza, with at least a third believed to have died.
Israel’s military response has caused significant devastation in Gaza. Hamas-run health authorities reported on Monday that Israeli airstrikes have resulted in at least 46,584 deaths in the enclave.
