Erdogan, Abbas Discuss Ceasefire, Reconciliation between Palestinian Factions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (File- Turkish Presidency)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (File- Turkish Presidency)
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Erdogan, Abbas Discuss Ceasefire, Reconciliation between Palestinian Factions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (File- Turkish Presidency)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (File- Turkish Presidency)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas discussed on Tuesday the latest developments in the Palestinian territories in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression, efforts to bring about a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and reconciliation talks between Palestinian factions.

The two presidents met at the presidential palace in Ankara where they tackled the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, in addition to the humanitarian situation with the war now in its fifth month.

An expanded meeting was also held between the Palestinian and Turkish delegations following the meeting of the two presidents.

The Palestinian delegation included Hussein al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the president's adviser for diplomatic affairs Majdi Khaldi, the president’s son Yasser Abbas and the Palestinian ambassador to Türkiye, Faed Mustafa.

Abbas arrived in Ankara on Monday evening at the invitation of the Turkish President.

On the eve of his meeting with the Palestinian President, Erdogan said that the war in Gaza tops Türkiye’s agenda and that his country will continue to do its best to bring about a ceasefire in the Strip and to help the Palestinians rebuild their land.

He said Ankara is also ready to provide various forms of assistance, including participation in the mechanism of guarantors after the war ends.

After chairing a cabinet meeting on Monday night, Erdogan said he would discuss with Abbas the Gaza situation in various aspects, stressing that any state or people that legitimizes the systematic dispossession of Palestinian land, will not enjoy a safe future.

He said that Türkiye is trying to support the people of Gaza through diplomatic initiatives and humanitarian aid.

“Türkiye is doing its best for Gaza and Palestine, it will continue to do so,” Erdogan added.

He then urged a unified Islamic world like bricks of a wall, to face what is happening in Gaza.



Blinken Says More than a Third of Israeli Forces in Lebanon Have Withdrawn

A member of the Spanish UNIFIL peacekeepers forces stands in front of the rubble of destroyed buildings during a patrol in the southern Lebanese village of Borj al-Mlouk, near the border with Israel, on January 7, 2025, amid a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
A member of the Spanish UNIFIL peacekeepers forces stands in front of the rubble of destroyed buildings during a patrol in the southern Lebanese village of Borj al-Mlouk, near the border with Israel, on January 7, 2025, amid a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
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Blinken Says More than a Third of Israeli Forces in Lebanon Have Withdrawn

A member of the Spanish UNIFIL peacekeepers forces stands in front of the rubble of destroyed buildings during a patrol in the southern Lebanese village of Borj al-Mlouk, near the border with Israel, on January 7, 2025, amid a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)
A member of the Spanish UNIFIL peacekeepers forces stands in front of the rubble of destroyed buildings during a patrol in the southern Lebanese village of Borj al-Mlouk, near the border with Israel, on January 7, 2025, amid a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah. (AFP)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday said that more than a third of Israeli forces in Lebanon have withdrawn since the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Blinken, speaking to reporters in Paris, said that while challenges remain, the oversight mechanism put together by the United States and France to address concerns about ceasefire violations is working and functioning well.