Turkey to Host Muslim Ministers for Gaza Peace Talks

ISTANBUL – Turkey will host a meeting of foreign ministers from Muslim countries on Monday to discuss the US peace plan for Gaza. The meeting aims to evaluate progress and discuss future steps in the ongoing peace efforts. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the gathering and said the discussions would focus on overcoming challenges to the plan’s implementation.

Ministers from Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have all been invited. These countries previously met with US President Donald Trump on September 23 during the UN General Assembly in New York. Fidan described the meeting as a “glimmer of hope” for peace in Gaza, adding that the path ahead required careful evaluation.

The discussions will focus on several key issues, including obstacles to the peace plan’s implementation, challenges faced by negotiators, and next steps for diplomacy. Fidan also emphasized the importance of dialogue with Western allies and the level of support for ongoing talks with the United States.

Tensions remain high over the situation in Gaza, with Fidan accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking a pretext to violate the ceasefire and restart violence. Turkey recently sent an 81-member disaster response team to Gaza to aid in search and rescue efforts but is still waiting for Israeli approval to enter the territory.

Israel has rejected Turkey’s request to participate in the ceasefire oversight. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar argued that Turkey’s “hostile approach” towards Israel made it unreasonable for their forces to join the international team in Gaza. The diplomatic tension between the two nations continues amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Read More : Gaza Peace Plan Backed After Muslim Bloc Talks

Acting President and Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani defended Pakistan’s support for Trump’s Gaza peace proposal on Thursday. He said the decision followed consultations with Muslim countries and collective agreement. He emphasized that Pakistan made no unilateral decision now or previously. “We are consensus builders,” Gilani remarked. He explained that the agreement was not solely Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s or Field Marshal Asim Munir’s decision, but a product of joint thinking.

Gilani went on to name coalition partners involved in drafting the document, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Türkiye, Jordan, and the UAE. He said this framework was prepared jointly by all parties. He added that the deputy prime minister had already given a detailed explanation on the matter. He reassured that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar would brief Parliament once the session opens. By doing so, the government aims to address all concerns in a transparent manner.