Turkey's Intelligence Chief Held Talks with HAMAS 0 8

The head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization, Ibrahim Kalin, held a meeting in Istanbul with a delegation from HAMAS led by Khalil al-Hayya. Sources in the Turkish security forces reported that the representatives of HAMAS also discussed mechanisms for ensuring a ceasefire.

Under Islamist leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has become a staunch supporter of the Palestinian militant group HAMAS, which governs the Gaza Strip.

Turkey provides financial and logistical support to HAMAS, which many Western countries consider a terrorist organization.

In recent years, Turkey has effectively become a headquarters for HAMAS. Movement representatives felt extremely comfortable there. Erdogan even issued passports to HAMAS leaders. This was very important for Erdogan, as he himself comes from Islamist circles and is a proponent of political Islam. Ideologically, HAMAS and Erdogan are very close, sharing the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood.

After the sudden attack by HAMAS on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and the start of the war between Israel and HAMAS in 2023, President Erdogan referred to HAMAS as a "liberation group, 'mujahideen' fighting to defend their lands and people." Erdogan canceled a planned visit to Israel.

After Erdogan stated at a rally in October that Turkey would allegedly "declare Israel a war criminal," Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir noted:

"I see enormous support from Erdogan and his people for the Nazi murderers who killed, looted, and raped our children, our elderly, and our women, and I have no choice but to suggest to Erdogan that he not only support them from afar but also take them under his protection so they can live in Turkey."

Recep Tayyip Erdogan also stated that in his opinion, Israel is a terrorist state, while HAMAS is a legitimate political force in the Gaza Strip. Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he is ready to send his troops as an international police force to the Gaza Strip instead of HAMAS.