Turkey and Hamas Discuss Advancing Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

On December 24, 2025, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with officials from Hamas's political bureau in Ankara to discuss the advancement of the Gaza ceasefire agreement to its second phase. According to a Turkish Foreign Ministry source, Hamas representatives claimed they had fulfilled their obligations under the ceasefire deal. However, they expressed concerns that Israel's ongoing military actions in Gaza were obstructing the transition to the next phase of the agreement. The Hamas officials also highlighted the inadequacy of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, emphasizing the need for essential supplies such as medication, housing equipment, and fuel.

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Turkey anticipates that the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal will commence in early 2026. This expectation follows discussions involving U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian officials, where Fidan noted that the focus was on overcoming obstacles to advancing the agreement. A key priority identified was the governance of Gaza, which Turkey advocates should be led by a Palestinian-led group.

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Both Hamas and Israel have accused each other of violating the terms of the initial ceasefire phase. Hamas has yet to return the body of Israeli Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, while Israel has restricted movement at the Rafah Crossing, allowing only exit from Gaza. Since the ceasefire began in October, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported the killing of numerous individuals they classified as terror operatives or suspects who approached their troops.

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Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official, criticized Israel for allegedly failing to adhere to the ceasefire agreement and for violating international accords. He asserted that Israel's reluctance to progress to the second phase stems from the requirement for a full withdrawal from Gaza and the continued presence of Hamas's armed resistance. Hamdan rejected the notion of foreign forces disarming Hamas, stating that the group has successfully maintained its armament despite Israeli efforts.

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In response to the ongoing tensions, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem condemned remarks made by Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz regarding the potential maintenance of Israeli forces in Gaza and the establishment of settlements in the northern region. Qassem characterized these statements as indicative of Israel's expansionist intentions and a plan to displace the population of Gaza.

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There are discrepancies in the reports regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza. While Hamas claims that aid is insufficient, the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) stated that approximately 4,200 aid trucks enter Gaza weekly, with food shipments coordinated according to priorities set by humanitarian agencies. This divergence highlights the complexities surrounding the ceasefire and the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Times of Israel

• “We do not need foreign forces to come and disarm us — weapons that the occupation has failed to take from us for two years.” — Osama Hamdan, Senior Hamas Official

• “Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said Katz’s remarks exposed the Israeli government’s expansionist intentions and showed that Israel continues to plan the displacement of Gaza’s population.” — Hazem Qassem, Hamas Spokesman