Turkey has launched a fresh diplomatic initiative to broker the release of Israeli hostages held by the Hamas terror group, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported, marking a potential shift in regional dynamics amid speculation about former President Trump's influence on Middle Eastern politics.
According to a high-ranking Hamas source, Turkish authorities extended an invitation to the Israeli government to resume negotiations that could potentially lead to the conclusion of the Gaza war and the return of the 101 Israelis that have been held hostage in Gaza for over a year. The source indicated that Ankara has positioned itself to facilitate direct communications with Hamas leadership.
The official, however, stated that Prime Minister Benjamin "Netanyahu derailed the Turkish initiative in its early stages by rejecting both Turkish mediation and Ankara's role as an intermediary in the Gaza situation."
The report said that Shin Bet security agency director, Ronen Bar, conducted an undisclosed visit to Turkey on Saturday, meeting with Turkey's intelligence director to discuss the status of hostages in Gaza. According to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Bar's presence at the meeting was primarily to evaluate the Turkish proposal.
Sources indicated that the diplomatic engagement followed patterns similar to Israel's approach since the conflict's onset, characterized as "delaying tactics to gain time" and utilizing the initiative to address domestic pressure within Israel.
A senior Israeli diplomatic official told Israel Hayom that Netanyahu had authorized Ronen's Turkey visit to explore potential hostage release arrangements and discuss bilateral relations. The visit's timing comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House with his pro-Israel team.
The Turkish diplomatic overture indicates a significant shift in President Erdogan's position, reflecting an understanding of potential changes in Washington's diplomatic stance. While Turkey continues to serve as a base for senior Hamas officials, Israel is exploring this new channel for hostage recovery, parallel to existing mediation efforts.
