(Reuters) -Turkey is working with the USA and Arab mediators to safe protected passage for Hamas fighters who’re holed up in tunnels within the Israel-controlled space of Gaza, a Palestinian supply, a Hamas official and Turkish officers mentioned on Monday.
The destiny of about 200 fighters has difficult efforts to shift Gaza ceasefire talks, being performed between Israel and the Palestinians militant group, to the subsequent section that goals to safe a everlasting finish to the two-year-old battle.
A Palestinian supply near the mediation effort mentioned Turkey was concerned in mediation over the destiny of the fighters, working alongside Egypt, Qatar and the USA.
Two Turkish officers, together with the spokesperson for President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Occasion, confirmed Turkey was mediating in talks over the destiny of 200 Palestinians, with out giving particulars.
Final week, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned resolving the standoff can be a check case for future steps within the wider ceasefire plan. He mentioned it may very well be resolved by offering them with protected passage to Hamas-controlled areas of Gaza.
A Hamas official, who requested to not be recognized, mentioned Turkey was a mediator however didn’t give particulars in regards to the negotiations, saying they coated a delicate safety challenge.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Workplace didn’t reply to a request for touch upon Turkey’s position.
Final week, two sources mentioned the Hamas fighters trapped within the Israeli-held Rafah space of Gaza had been able to give up their arms in change for passage to different areas of Gaza.
Hamas has not confirmed the variety of trapped fighters however has beforehand demanded that they be allowed to go to areas managed by the group. Israel has thus far resisted this.
Turkey, a fierce critic of Israel’s navy marketing campaign in Gaza and with shut ties to Palestinian group, was a signatory to the U.S.-backed Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal.
(Reporting by Reuters journalists; Enhancing by Edmund Blair)