Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan have engaged in discussions regarding the potential for finalizing a hostage and ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Following their meeting in Ankara on Friday, Blinken expressed optimism, citing recent positive developments that indicate progress is achievable.
Blinken emphasized the importance of Hamas' agreement to the proposed deal during his conversations with Turkish officials. He acknowledged Turkey's influential role in leveraging its relationship with Hamas to facilitate a resolution to the conflict.
Notably, several Hamas representatives have relocated to Turkey after being expelled from Qatar, underscoring the country's involvement in the peace negotiations.
The US administration's efforts to broker the agreement have intensified, with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressing a desire to finalize the deal before the end of the Biden administration's term. The collaborative approach between the current administration and former Trump officials signifies a unified commitment to achieving a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
