Turkey: Erdogan discusses humanitarian aid in Gaza with Hamas chief

Tayyip Erdogan

ISTANBUL, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed humanitarian aid for Gaza over the phone with Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of Hamas, local media reported Sunday.

Erdogan told Haniyeh that "Türkiye is making efforts to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches Gaza and that the injured can be treated in Türkiye when necessary," NTV television reported, citing Erdogan's office.

Erdogan said Türkiye was working for a "ceasefire in the region as soon as possible" and reiterated his country's position regarding the conflict.

"A permanent solution to the Israel-Palestine issue cannot be achieved without establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital, and Türkiye will continue to work internationally for permanent peace," he said.