Turkey Joins Trump
Erdogan's Move: Why Turkey's Joining Mediation Influences Trump's Gaza Plan
Turkey enters Gaza negotiations alongside Qatar and Egypt, as Hamas considers Trump's comprehensive peace proposal while seeking security guarantees for its leadership outside Gaza.
Diplomatic engagement surrounding President Donald Trump’s 21-point plan for a Gaza settlement has escalated with the formal inclusion of Turkey into the primary mediation track. Turkey joins established mediators Qatar and Egypt in pressing Hamas to accept the far-reaching proposal, even as the terror group balks at core demands and focuses its counter-request on personal security for its leadership.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry confirmed that Hamas has received the plan and is "studying it seriously." However, its entry into the talks signals a significant geopolitical shift, leveraging Turkey’s unique position as an intermediary with deep ties to the Hamas leadership.
Hamas’s Critical Demand and Turkish Role
Despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s full endorsement of the U.S. plan, Hamas is reportedly leaning toward acceptance, pending one crucial concession: guarantees that its political and military leaders operating outside of Gaza will not be targeted by Israel.
The addition of Turkey to the negotiation table, confirmed to be participating in today’s high-stakes discussions, may be directly linked to this security demand. Analysts suggest that Turkey’s involvement, alongside Qatar’s financial and political sway, is intended to build sufficient diplomatic assurances to overcome Hamas's internal resistance to the proposal.
A senior Hamas official, speaking to Sky News Arabic, highlighted the internal dilemma:
“The problem is that some of the leaders see the plan as a declaration of defeat on the part of Hamas.” He confirmed their demands include a clear IDF withdrawal schedule and "guarantees for the future that Hamas leaders will not be harmed."
The integration of Turkey into the mediation framework underscores the high stakes, as regional powers collectively apply pressure to force Hamas into a deal that fundamentally dismantles its power structure.