Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Ismail Haniyeh
On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he will host Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of Palestinian group Hamas, in Turkey this weekend.
Erdogan stated, “The leader of the Palestinian cause will be my guest this weekend”.
According to the report, the two leaders will meet on Saturday at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce palace.
Their last meeting was in July 2023, when Erdogan welcomed Haniyeh to the presidential palace in Ankara alongside Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas.
Erdogan has been one of Israel’s strongest critics since the outbreak of the Gaza war, which was launched by the group’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
As per the Israeli figures, the attack killed 1,170 persons.
Israel replied with a land and air offensive that has killed at least 33,899 civilians, mostly women and children.
The Turkish leader has established cordial relations with Haniyeh.
Last week, Erdogan expressed condolences to Haniyeh for the death of his three sons and some of his grandkids in an Israeli strike in Gaza.
Erdogan has labeled Israel a terrorist state and accused it of committing genocide in Gaza.
Turkish President has described Hamas as liberators or mujahideen fighting for their territory.
Also read: Iran Saves 21 Sri Lankan Crew From Sinking Ship In Gulf Of Oman