Hamas Leader Haniyeh to Meet with Turkey's Erdogan Amid Heightened Middle East Tensions

Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, is set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. The meeting comes after Israel's reported attack on Iran and in anticipation of a new Israeli offensive in Gaza.

Erdogan has sought to establish a role as an intermediary in the Palestinian conflict, but his outspoken condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza has limited his influence. With Qatar potentially reassessing its mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel, Turkey could seek to increase its profile based on its links with Hamas.

However, Erdogan's criticism of Israel makes him an unwelcome figure there, and he is unlikely to have a major influence over Hamas or the hostage situation.

Why this matters: The meeting between Haniyeh and Erdogan highlights Turkey's desire to play a larger role in mediating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, with various actors vying for influence amid ongoing violence and tensions.

The Gaza Health Ministry has reported that 42 people were killed and 63 injured in the past 24 hours, indicating an intensification of the conflict. The death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 34,000, with most of the casualties being women and children, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

The war in Gaza started after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,170 people, mostly Israeli civilians. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has since killed at least 34,012 people in Gaza. Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders were in Istanbul when the October attacks were launched, and they were requested to quietly leave after a photo showed them celebrating the deadly assault.

Humanitarian aid is being delivered to Gaza, with 276 aid trucks carrying supplies admitted on Friday. However, the ongoing conflicts in the region, including in Gaza and Sudan, are casting a cloud of uncertainty over the economic outlook for the Middle East and North Africa. The IMF has pared back its growth outlook for the region due to these conflicts and a recent cut to oil supplies by Gulf countries.

The meeting between Haniyeh and Erdogan is expected to focus on the conflict in Gaza and potential developments in the region. Erdogan has vowed to continue defending the Palestinian struggle, stating, "Turkey will continue to defend the Palestinian cause and stand in solidarity with the brotherly Palestinian people." The talks are part of Qatar's ongoing mediation efforts to end the hostilities and secure the release of hostages.

Key Takeaways

• Hamas leader Haniyeh to meet Turkish President Erdogan amid Middle East tensions.
• Turkey seeks to increase its role in mediating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Conflict in Gaza intensifies, with 42 killed and 63 injured in the past 24 hours.
• Humanitarian aid being delivered to Gaza, but economic outlook clouded by regional conflicts.
• Talks part of Qatar's ongoing mediation efforts to end hostilities and secure hostage release.