Turkey is explaining to Palestinian terrorist group Hamas what the best approach is for the future of a Palestinian state, as part of a plan by US President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza, President Tayyip Erdogan said.
In comments to reporters on a flight back from Azerbaijan, Erdogan said Turkish officials were involved in negotiations in Egypt and that Ankara supports peace efforts by Trump, whom he added had asked Turkey to convince Hamas to accept the proposal.
"We have been in contact with Hamas throughout this process. We are in contact with them now too," Erdogan said, according to a transcript of his comments shared by his office.
"We are explaining to them what the most appropriate way is, what needs to be done for Palestine to march with commitment into the future."
"Both in our America visit and our latest phone call, we explained to Mr. Trump how a solution in Palestine can be achieved," he said, referring to his visit to the White House last month.
"He specifically requested that we speak to Hamas and convince them. We rapidly got in touch with our counterparts on this," he added.
Erdogan also said that in any post-war scenario, Gaza must remain part of a Palestinian state and that it must be governed by Palestinians, according to a transcript of his remarks shared by his office on Wednesday.
He added that the deployment of foreign forces to Gaza and ensuring security there should be discussed in detail, and that Ankara was ready to contribute to all efforts.
Erdogan also said on Wednesday it was neither fair nor realistic to put the burden of achieving peace in Gaza solely on Hamas and Palestinians, and that Israel must stop its attacks in order for peace efforts to succeed.
Speaking to lawmakers from his party, Erdogan said Israel remained the main obstacle to peace in Gaza despite a plan by Trump. Ceasefire talks in Egypt, to which Turkish officials are attending, are critical, he said.
"Peace is not a bird with a single wing. Putting the entire burden of peace on Hamas and Palestinians is not a fair, correct or realistic approach," he said, repeating his claim that Hamas is a "resistance group."
Regarding US sanctions on Turkey, Erdogan said he hoped they could be lifted and that issues can be resolved regarding its purchase of F-35 jets and a legal case against Turkey's Halkbank HALKB.IS in the wake of his talks with Trump.
"I hope the F-35 issue will be resolved and CAATSA sanctions will be lifted," Erdogan said in comments to reporters on a flight back from Azerbaijan, adding that his visit to the White House last month marked a new era in US ties.
According to a transcript of his remarks shared by his office on Wednesday, Erdogan also said Trump had told him "the Halkbank problem is finished," but there are certain procedures that need to be completed, and Erdogan hoped they would be done positively.
Erdogan comments on Syria
Pivoting to Syria, Erdogan repeated Turkey's demand that the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria must keep its promises regarding a deal with Syria's government and integrate into the country's state apparatus.
The Turkish president said Turkey's "patient, prudent, dignified" stance should not be considered as a weakness.