Ismail Haniyeh & Turkish Intelligence Chief Discuss Ceasefire in Gaza

In a significant meeting held on Saturday, Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas's political bureau, convened with Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin to deliberate on the current situation in the Gaza Strip and explore avenues for achieving a ceasefire in the region.

According to a statement released by Hamas, the meeting was attended by accompanying delegations from both sides. The discussions focused on the evolving circumstances in the Gaza Strip, strategies for halting hostilities, ending the blockade, and facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid and necessities for the Palestinian populace in Gaza. The latest developments in prisoner exchange talks were also reviewed during the meeting.

The statement further emphasized that establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital remains a fundamental pillar for stability in the region.

Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry reported a grim update on Saturday, announcing that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in the Gaza Strip has escalated to 27,238, with injuries reaching 66,452 since the onset of the conflict.

Now entering its 120th day, the war in Gaza sees continued Israeli military bombardment in the south of the Strip, with clashes persisting across multiple fronts amid a dire humanitarian crisis.