Turkey says 'intensive contacts' underway to free Israel's hostages with Hamas
The Turkish president said his government, which has channels to both Hamas and Israel, is seeking the release of hostages held in Gaza, but hinted at Western obstacles.
ANKARA — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday said his government is working intensively with all parties for the release of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and in a thinly veiled jab at Western capitals, also charged that “provocative approaches” by some actors have been hindering the effort.
Nearly 150 people are believed to have been kidnapped and transported to Gaza by Hamas during its surprise attack launched against Israel last Saturday.
Speaking at the closure of the Turkey-Africa business forum in Istanbul, Erdogan said he and members of his government, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Ibrahim Kalin, head of the National Intelligence Agency, were actively pursuing their release.
“We are carrying on with our intensive contacts to find a way out of the crisis, starting with the release of the hostages,” he said, before charging that “provocative approaches of some actors” were undermining Turkey’s efforts, “adding fuel to the fire.” The comments appeared to be directed at Western powers for their unequivocal support of Israel after Hamas' assault over the weekend.
