Erdogan and Abbas to discuss delivering aid to Gaza, Turkish source says

Erdogan and Abbas to discuss delivering aid to Gaza, Turkish source says

2024-03-04 11:41:33

Erdogan and Abbas will discuss recent developments in Gaza as well as the situation in the West Bank, the diplomatic source said.

Erdogan and Abbas will discuss recent developments in Gaza as well as the situation in the West Bank, the diplomatic source said.

Updated: MARCH 4, 2024 11:51
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara, Turkey August 23, 2022. (photo credit: MURAT CETINMUHURDAR/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara, Turkey August 23, 2022.
(photo credit: MURAT CETINMUHURDAR/PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

 President Tayyip Erdogan is set to discuss Turkey's efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during talks this week in Ankara, a Turkish diplomatic source said on Monday.

Speaking at a diplomatic forum in Turkey at the weekend, the Palestinian Authority's Foreign Minister Riyad-al Maliki said Abbas would pay a visit to Ankara on Tuesday and meet Erdogan.

Turkey, which has harshly criticized Israel for its attacks on Gaza and backed measures to have it tried for genocide at the World Court, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire. But Ankara has no direct involvement in truce talks.

Hamas is not on Turkey's terrorist list

Unlike its Western allies and some Gulf nations, NATO member Turkey does not view Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group which runs Gaza and on Oct. 7 carried out an attack inside Israel that prompted the Israeli campaign, as a terrorist organization.

Erdogan and Abbas will discuss recent developments in Gaza as well as the situation in the West Bank, the diplomatic source said.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki and Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour attend a public hearing held by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to allow parties to give their views on the legal consequences of Israel's ''occupation'' of the Palestinian territories. (credit: REUTERS/PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW)

"Turkey has been delivering extensive humanitarian aid to Gaza in coordination with Egypt since the beginning of Israel's attacks... Within this scope, humanitarian aid operations will also be discussed during the meetings with President Abbas," the source said.