Türkiye and Gaza: Diplomacy, Humanitarian Aid and the Two-State Position
Türkiye's Gaza diplomacy position explained: ceasefire, humanitarian aid, talks with Hamas, relations with Israel and the two-state vision on 1967 lines.
Why It Matters
Türkiye is a NATO member, a long-standing diplomatic partner of the Palestinians and one of the few governments that talks openly with both Western capitals and Hamas leaders. Its Gaza policy therefore affects mediation channels, NATO-region politics and Middle East diplomacy. In short, Ankara wants a permanent ceasefire, large-scale humanitarian access, an end to what it calls occupation, and a Palestinian state on 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital. It talks to Hamas because it argues that a war cannot be ended, and hostages and aid cannot be arranged, without speaking to the parties that hold power on the ground.
Background
The current crisis began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel. Israel puts the death toll at about 1,200 and says roughly 250 people were taken hostage. Israel then launched a large military campaign in Gaza. The UN and humanitarian agencies have reported tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths according to Gaza's health authorities, mass displacement and severe shortages of food, fuel and medicine. Israel disputes aspects of these figures and accounts, and says Hamas operates among civilians.
Key milestones
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 Oct 2023 | Hamas-led attack on Israel; Israeli campaign in Gaza begins |
| 25 Oct 2023 | President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a parliamentary group speech, says Hamas is not a terrorist organization in Ankara's view and calls Israel's actions disproportionate |
| 27 Oct 2023 | UN General Assembly (ES-10/21) calls for a humanitarian truce; Türkiye votes in favor |
| 4 Nov 2023 | Türkiye recalls its ambassador from Tel Aviv for consultations |
| 24–30 Nov 2023 | Temporary truce and exchanges, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US |
| 12 Dec 2023 | UN General Assembly (ES-10/22) demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire; Türkiye votes in favor |
| 26 Jan 2024 | International Court of Justice orders provisional measures in South Africa v. Israel |
| Apr–May 2024 | Türkiye restricts, then announces a halt to, trade with Israel |
| 20 Apr 2024 | Erdoğan receives Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul |
| Aug 2024 | Türkiye announces it will intervene in the ICJ case brought by South Africa |
| 19 Jan – 18 Mar 2025 | Ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchanges, then resumption of hostilities |
| Aug 2025 | Türkiye announces further measures against Israel, including limits on port access and airspace |
| Oct 2025 | Ceasefire under the US-backed plan; leaders including Erdoğan attend the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in Egypt |
The situation remains fluid, so readers should check current official statements for the latest developments.
The legal frame
The core legal references are UN Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), the Oslo Accords, and the 2012 General Assembly resolution 67/19 that granted Palestine non-member observer state status. In July 2024 the ICJ issued an advisory opinion saying Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful. Israel rejects that conclusion and invokes the right of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Key Players & Positions
Israel
The Israeli government says its objectives are the return of all hostages and the dismantling of Hamas' military and governing capacity. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, and in July 2024 the Knesset passed a resolution opposing the establishment of one. Israeli officials have criticized Türkiye for hosting Hamas figures and for its trade measures. Ankara rejects these accusations.
United States
Washington has said Israel has a right to defend itself, has designated Hamas as a terrorist organization, and has used its veto at the Security Council on several ceasefire drafts. It abstained on Resolution 2728 (March 2024), which demanded a ceasefire for Ramadan. In late September 2025 the US presented a 20-point plan, which underpinned the October 2025 ceasefire. The US also acted as a mediator alongside Qatar and Egypt.
Arab states
Egypt controls the Rafah crossing's southern side and is a mediator, as is Qatar. The Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 offers normalization in return for Israeli withdrawal to 1967 lines and a Palestinian state. A joint Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh (November 2023) called for a ceasefire and an end to the blockade. Saudi Arabia and France led a 2025 UN conference on two-state implementation, endorsed by the General Assembly in September 2025.
European Union
The EU lists Hamas as a terrorist organization, supports a two-state solution, and has called for humanitarian pauses and unhindered aid. Member states are divided on the military conduct of the war, on arms exports and on recognition of Palestine. Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized Palestine in 2024, and several others, including France and the UK, followed in 2025.
United Nations
Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly called for a ceasefire, hostage release and aid access. UN agencies, including OCHA and UNRWA, report on humanitarian conditions and access constraints. Israel has contested UNRWA's role and placed restrictions on it. The Security Council endorsed the US-backed framework in November 2025 (Resolution 2803), according to UN records.
Türkiye's Position
Ankara's Gaza policy is set out in statements by the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Türkiye's addresses at the UN. Its main elements are:
- An immediate, lasting ceasefire. The MFA and the Presidency have repeatedly called for a permanent end to hostilities, and Türkiye voted for the October and December 2023 General Assembly resolutions. Ankara argues that Israel's self-defense claim under Article 51 must be exercised in line with proportionality and international humanitarian law, and that the scale of civilian harm exceeds that standard. Turkish officials describe the conduct of the war as genocide, a characterization Israel rejects. This is Ankara's position, not a finding adopted by the UN.
- A two-state solution on 1967 lines. According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Türkiye supports an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine based on the 4 June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. Türkiye recognized Palestine on 15 November 1988 and supports full UN membership for it. Ankara bases this on UN Security Council Resolution 242, the General Assembly's 2012 resolution and the Arab Peace Initiative.
- Humanitarian access and a corridor. Turkish officials call for sustained, unconditional and large-scale aid through all crossings, not just selective access. AFAD (the national disaster agency), the Turkish Red Crescent and civil society groups have sent aid by air and sea to Egypt, from where it is routed toward Gaza. Türkiye has also received wounded Palestinians and patients for treatment. Aid delivery depends on Egyptian and Israeli arrangements at the crossings, and Ankara says Israeli restrictions are the main obstacle.
- Talking to Hamas. Ankara says it does not regard Hamas as a terrorist organization, noting that it won the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, and argues that talking to all parties is essential for mediation. Turkish officials, including the foreign minister and the intelligence service, have met Hamas delegations, and Erdoğan received Haniyeh in April 2024. Ankara says it has used these contacts to urge a ceasefire and hostage-related arrangements. Türkiye lists the PKK as a terrorist organization but takes a different approach to Hamas than Israel, the US or the EU.
- A guarantor mechanism and wider reform. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has proposed that regional and international guarantor states back any settlement. Türkiye was a member of the Arab-Islamic ministerial contact group that toured major capitals, and Erdoğan joined the October 2025 Sharm el-Sheikh summit. Türkiye links Gaza to its call for UN Security Council reform; see UN Security Council Reform: What 'The World Is Bigger Than Five' Means.
On relations with Israel, Ankara says its trade restrictions and recalled ambassador were responses to Israel's conduct in Gaza and to the lack of humanitarian access. Israel's position is that the measures harm bilateral ties and support Hamas. Türkiye maintains that its NATO membership is unaffected; for context see Türkiye in NATO: Membership, Defense Industry and the Drone Factor. Israel and some NATO allies have also disagreed with Ankara about any Turkish role in a post-war security presence in Gaza.
Source Comparison
Coverage differs in what it emphasizes. The table summarizes typical framings, which should be checked against each party's own statements.
| Issue | Israeli and many Western sources | Turkish official sources (MFA, Presidency) | UN and humanitarian agencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamas | Terrorist organization to be dismantled | Political and social reality; not designated as terrorist; channel for contact | Reports on violations by all parties; Hamas is listed by some states, not by the UN itself |
| Israeli operations | Self-defense under Article 51 | Disproportionate; described by Ankara as genocide | Reports on civilian harm, access limits; ICJ orders provisional measures |
| Türkiye's role | Supporter of Hamas; unreliable partner | Principled mediator and humanitarian actor | Not a lead mediator; contributes aid |
| Mediation | US, Qatar, Egypt lead | Supports and joins the process; seeks guarantor role | Welcomes mediation; calls for implementation |
| Statehood | Opposed or conditional (Israeli government) | Two states on 1967 lines, East Jerusalem capital | Supports two-state solution |
For a wider look at how claims about Türkiye are framed, see Fact Check: Common Claims About Türkiye in International Media. Interstate Journal's sourcing approach is set out in Editorial Principles and Primary Source Standards.
Key Terms & Related Guides
- 1967 lines: The armistice lines before the June 1967 war, used as the reference for Palestinian borders in a two-state solution; negotiators often discuss agreed land swaps.
- Humanitarian corridor: A protected route for aid or civilians. It differs from a humanitarian pause, which is a temporary halt in fighting.
- Guarantor mechanism: An arrangement in which third states guarantee compliance with a settlement, a concept Ankara has proposed for Gaza.
- Article 51 (UN Charter): The right to individual or collective self-defense after an armed attack, which Israel invokes and critics say is limited by proportionality.
- Hamas: A Palestinian Islamist movement that has governed Gaza since 2007. Israel, the US, the EU and others designate it as a terrorist organization; Türkiye does not.
Related reading: Türkiye, Syria and Refugees: Border Security and the Hosting Burden on Türkiye's regional humanitarian record, PKK/YPG, DAESH and FETÖ: Who Is Designated and Why the Terms Matter on designation debates, and About Interstate Journal: Mission, Transparency and Editorial Team.
Interstate Journal presents global affairs with a dedicated perspective from Türkiye. Sections marked 'Türkiye's Position' reflect official Turkish policy as stated by Turkish government sources.
By the Interstate Journal Editorial Team.
Cross-Publication Dossiers & Sister Desk Perspectives
For complementary primary-source analysis across our specialist editorial network, consult:
- Borders & Blocs: Gaza and Palestine: Türkiye's Humanitarian Diplomacy and Diplomatic Position — Türkiye's Gaza humanitarian diplomacy and Palestine position: UN statements, aid, ceasefire mediation and the two-state stance, with other actors' views.
- Bloc Politics: Türkiye and Gaza: Humanitarian Diplomacy, Aid Efforts and Ankara's Position on Palestine — Türkiye's position on Gaza and Palestine: ceasefire diplomacy, aid efforts, the two-state vision on 1967 lines and ties with Israel, Egypt and the Gulf.
- Region Scope: Gaza and Palestine: Türkiye's Humanitarian Diplomacy and Diplomatic Role Explained — Explainer on Türkiye's Gaza humanitarian diplomacy role: aid, UN and OIC diplomacy, ceasefire mediation and the two-state call, with all main positions.
Frequently asked questions
What does Türkiye want in Gaza?
According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry and the Presidency, Türkiye wants a permanent ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian aid, and a political settlement based on two states on 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. It also says Gaza should remain part of a unified Palestinian state. Ankara offers to act as a guarantor of any agreement.
Why does Türkiye talk to Hamas?
Ankara says Hamas is a political reality that won the 2006 Palestinian elections and that a ceasefire and any hostage arrangements require contact with the party. Türkiye does not designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, unlike Israel, the US and the EU. Critics say this legitimizes the group, while Ankara says it uses the contact to press for de-escalation.
Is Türkiye a mediator in the Gaza negotiations?
The lead mediators have been Qatar, Egypt and the United States. Türkiye has been a supporting interlocutor with Hamas and, in the October 2025 arrangements, one of the states backing the ceasefire. Israel has objected to some proposed Turkish roles.
What is the state of Türkiye–Israel relations?
Relations deteriorated sharply after October 2023. Türkiye recalled its ambassador in November 2023, restricted trade in 2024 and announced further measures in 2025. Diplomatic and trade ties were normalized in 2022, but Israel and Türkiye now trade accusations while NATO membership and some communication channels remain.
How has Türkiye helped Gaza humanitarian relief?
Turkish agencies such as AFAD and the Turkish Red Crescent have sent aid by air and sea, mostly through Egypt, and Türkiye has received wounded Palestinians and patients for treatment. Ankara says distribution depends on access at the crossings, which it blames on Israeli restrictions. Israel says it facilitates aid and blames Hamas for diversion, a claim Hamas denies.
Related guides
- Fact Check: Common Claims About Türkiye in International MediaFact check Türkiye claims in international media: Montreux, the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, Mavi Vatan and Ukraine mediation, checked against primary sources.
- Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Disputes: Continental Shelf, EEZ and Mavi Vatan ExplainedEastern Mediterranean maritime dispute explained: UNCLOS, continental shelf, EEZ claims, the 2019 Türkiye–Libya memorandum, Mavi Vatan and who owns the gas.
- Cyprus and the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee: What It Says and Why It Matters1960 Treaty of Guarantee Cyprus explained: what Article IV allows, whether it is still valid and why the island is divided, from 1960 to the two-state debate.
- Black Sea Grain Initiative: How Türkiye Helped Broker the DealHow Türkiye and the UN brokered the July 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative, how the Istanbul centre worked, why Russia quit in 2023 and whether it can return.
- COP31 in Antalya: Türkiye's Climate Diplomacy and the Zero Waste InitiativeCOP31 Antalya Türkiye climate diplomacy explained: why Antalya, how the presidency is shared with Australia, net-zero 2053, and the Zero Waste initiative.
- Montreux Convention and the Turkish Straits: A Plain-Language GuideMontreux Convention explained: free merchant passage, warship limits, Article 19 and 21 wartime powers, the 2022 invocation and Türkiye's position.
Cross-Publication Perspectives & Cited Research
Related Dossiers Across Partner Publications
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