Turkey to Host Muslim Foreign Ministers in Istanbul to Press for Palestinian Control of Gaza

Turkey will convene the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan and Indonesia in Istanbul on Monday as it seeks regional backing for transferring responsibility for Gaza's security and governance to Palestinian authorities. The meeting comes amid growing concern over the fragility of the October 10 ceasefire in the two-year Israel–Hamas war.

The Oct. 10 truce — part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting — has shown signs of strain, tested by continued Israeli strikes and allegations of Palestinian attacks on Israeli forces. Ankara says it hopes the visiting ministers will use their collective influence to support a transition that places Palestinian institutions at the center of Gaza's administration and security arrangements.

Turkish push and diplomatic outreach

On the eve of the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan received a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya, the movement's principal negotiator. Fidan emphasized that a ceasefire alone is not sufficient and reiterated support for a two-state solution as the long-term framework for resolving the Israeli–Palestinian dispute.

"We must end the massacre in Gaza. A ceasefire in itself is not enough," Fidan said, adding: "We should recognise that Gaza should be governed by the Palestinians, and act with caution."

What Ankara wants

According to Turkish foreign ministry sources, Ankara will press visiting ministers to back plans that would see Palestinians assume responsibility for Gaza's security and governance, and to call for unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave, where shortages remain acute.

Turkey–Israel tensions

Turkey has been an outspoken critic of Israel's military campaign in Gaza and has maintained ties with Hamas, which Israel holds responsible for the Oct. 7 attacks that precipitated the current war. Ankara's closeness to Hamas has long made Israel wary of any Turkish role in international stabilisation or peacekeeping arrangements for Gaza.

Israeli officials have repeatedly objected to proposals that would include Turkish personnel in a multinational stabilisation force intended to take over responsibilities after an eventual Israeli withdrawal. Separately, Ankara says a Turkish disaster-relief team sent to assist in recovering bodies from Gaza's rubble — including those of hostages seized in October — has been held at the border because Israeli authorities have not allowed their entry.

The Istanbul meeting will test how aligned key Muslim-majority states are on a path forward for Gaza and whether regional pressure can shape an international approach to governance, security and humanitarian access in the territory.