Turkish government sources report that Turkey and Hamas recently held talks aimed at moving the Gaza ceasefire agreement forward into its second phase. These meetings come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize Gaza after two years of bloodshed between Israeli and Palestinian factions.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met in Ankara with senior representatives of Hamas’ political bureau on December 24 to review progress under a ceasefire agreement and co-ordinate efforts towards its next phase. A Turkish Foreign Ministry source indicated that Hamas representatives confirmed fulfilling all their obligations under initial ceasefire terms but blamed Israel’s military actions as being the primary cause for delays to reaching phase two of this accord.
Reuters
A ceasefire deal brokered by mediators from the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey ended active hostilities that had caused extensive casualties and destruction in Gaza. While its first phase focused on stopping major combat, exchanging hostages for prisoners and increasing humanitarian access, its second phase is designed to address deeper structural and security arrangements.
According to Turkey’s foreign minister, efforts towards the second phase implementation are expected to extend until early 2026. According to Fidan, mediators remain committed to finding solutions to any remaining obstructions while progress will depend on concrete steps by all parties involved.
Key components of the next phase are a more stable cessation of hostilities, the formation of a transitional governance structure in Gaza Strip and long-term security monitoring arrangements. Mediators have stressed the need for a political and administrative framework acceptable to both sides in order to foster sustainable peace and reconstruction efforts.
At the forefront of these disputes is violence and ceasefire violations by both sides, with each accusing each other of undermining it. Hamas officials have demanded increased pressure be put on Israel to end military operations and expand humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza – which remains vulnerable and impoverished even during a ceasefire agreement.
Humanitarian concerns remain at the core of diplomatic talks. United Nations agencies and international relief groups have repeatedly warned that, even though famine conditions have subsided in parts of Gaza Strip, hunger continues to exist as well as critical shortages of essential goods across its territory. As a result, negotiations must advance beyond phase one quickly in order to provide safer conditions for civilians.
Turkey’s role as mediator reflects its overall strategy to act as an interlocutor between Palestinian groups and international stakeholders, particularly Hamas’ leadership. Ankara has long maintained close ties with Hamas’ senior members while supporting political representation within Palestine.
However, progress toward phase two faces significant challenges, including internal disagreements among mediators about implementation mechanisms and geopolitical issues arising from Middle Eastern security dynamics. Egyptian, Qatari and American officials have engaged in parallel conversations aimed at aligning diplomatic efforts with on-the-ground realities.
As talks continue, international observers warn of delays or breakdowns in negotiations that threaten to weaken the fragile peace and lead to new violence. Advocates of a ceasefire stress that concrete steps toward the second phase are crucial not only for political settlement but also addressing Gaza’s humanitarian needs.