Turkish intelligence chief meets Hamas delegation in Istanbul

Alsharq Tribune-Ahmed Essam 

Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization Director Ibrahim Kalin met with Hamas Political Bureau member and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya in Istanbul on Saturday to discuss implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to work together on increasing humanitarian aid, opening the Rafah Border Crossing in both directions, and supporting the newly-formed Palestinian technocratic committee, Anadolu reported, citing anonymous Turkish sources.

The Hamas delegation expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for Türkiye's mediation and efforts to secure peace in Gaza, according to Anadolu.

The Trump administration last year unveiled a 20-point, three-phase peace plan aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas conflict that broke out in October 2023. A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect in October 2025. However, during the first phase of the deal, both sides repeatedly accused each other of violations.

Earlier this month, Trump's administration announced the launch of the second phase of the peace plan, shifting the focus from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction.