Is Turkey trying to bypass Abbas in Gaza?
Hamas says it has not succumbed to Turkish pressure to negotiate with Israel, but the exchange raises discussion about Turkey’s role in accelerating the peace process between the adversaries.
Although Hamas is working on maintaining warm relations with Turkey and Qatar amid frosty dealings with several countries in the Arab world such as Egypt, Iran, Jordan and Syria, it hasn’t been all good for Hamas and Turkey.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu made a sudden announcement March 22 during a meeting at the National Press Club in Washington, saying that Turkey has pressured Hamas to shift away from armed resistance and engage in negotiations with Israel and that Hamas showed readiness to recognize Israel. Cavusoglu did not specify when Turkey actually pressured Hamas.
