ANKARA — Turkey’s direct involvement in the Gaza ceasefire, a role Ankara has long sought, is a high-stakes gamble that could strengthen its international standing, but it also carries risks, as its pro-Hamas position could provoke backlash from Washington and Israel.

Turkey’s involvement in the Gaza ceasefire process offers Ankara an opportunity to advance ties with Washington and potentially ease friction with Israel, provided the ceasefire holds. Yet significant challenges remain: Key Hamas demands, including a full Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian enclave, could complicate negotiations. If Ankara is seen as adopting an overly enthusiastic pro-Hamas stance, it risks provoking US President Donald Trump’s ire and further deteriorating relations with Israel.

Turkey’s involvement came after a White House meeting between US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month. Erdogan said earlier this week that Trump asked him during the meeting to convince Hamas to accept his ceasefire plan.

Turkey maintains close ties with Hamas, whose leaders split their time between Turkey and Qatar. Erdogan has repeatedly hailed Hamas as a resistance movement fighting for the Palestinian cause, and Turkey is the only NATO member that does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization.