ISLAMABAD: Türkiye is set to host a meeting of foreign ministers from key Muslim-majority countries on Monday to discuss a US-backed peace plan for Gaza, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.
A ministry spokesman confirmed that ministers from Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are expected to attend.
All seven countries previously met with US President Donald Trump in September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to discuss the same proposal, six days before Trump announced his plan to end the genocide in Gaza.
Agenda
According to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources, Ankara aims to secure support for Palestinians to assume control over Gaza’s security and governance. The meeting will focus on implementing the peace plan and developing a unified strategy for future talks with Western countries, including the United States.
Fidan told reporters on Friday that the Istanbul meeting would "evaluate our progress and discuss what we can achieve together in the next stage".
He has also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "looking for a pretext to violate the ceasefire (in Gaza) and relaunch the genocide under the eyes of the whole world", AFP reported.
Why the meeting matters for Gaza
This gathering comes months after a fragile ceasefire was implemented in Gaza, amid ongoing concerns over compliance and aid delivery. Turkish officials say continued coordination among Muslim-majority countries is essential to address humanitarian needs and enforce the ceasefire.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, opening the new legislative year of the Turkish Parliament on October 1, said:
“Ensuring Palestinians get the lasting peace they deserve is first the duty of the Islamic world to Gaza, then the global community’s. Parliament has passed the Gaza test with pride, in a manner worthy of our history and national character.”
Türkiye is positioning itself as a regional coordinator on Gaza, enhancing its diplomatic influence in shaping the next phase of peace efforts.
During a joint press conference with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Fidan called the talks a significant step toward coordinated action among Muslim states, saying they “offer a glimmer of hope for everyone.”
Expected Outcomes
While no formal decisions are expected until after the meeting, Turkish sources and official statements suggest the following outcomes:
- A joint communiqué emphasizing humanitarian aid delivery and compliance with the ceasefire.
- A coordinated stance among Muslim-majority countries ahead of negotiations with Western powers.
- Türkiye’s possible participation in an international force to monitor ceasefire implementation.
- Reinforcement of Türkiye’s leadership role in regional diplomacy on Gaza.
The meeting is part of a broader diplomatic effort to support Gaza’s stability, improve humanitarian access, and maintain international attention on the ceasefire process.
Relations between Türkiye and Israel have deteriorated during the Gaza war, with President Erdoğan harshly criticizing Israeli attacks on the enclave.
Türkiye also played a role in persuading Hamas to accept the US peace plan and has expressed willingness to take part in a monitoring task force.
However, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday it would not be reasonable for them to let Turkey participate because of their "hostile approach" to Israel.
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