Reuters/CCTV. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara on Wednesday to exchange in-depth views on the latest developments in the Palestine-Israel conflict, bilateral relations, and other issues of common concern.
During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the traditional friendship between Türkiye and Palestine and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in various fields.
Türkiye will continue to defend the Palestinian cause in the strongest possible way on every platform, Erdogan said, calling for necessary conditions to be established as soon as possible to launch reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.
Abbas expressed high appreciation for Türkiye's firm stance in defending the legitimate rights and interests of the Palestinian people on various international occasions, as well as his gratitude to Türkiye for providing humanitarian aid to Gaza and medical treatment for wounded Palestinians.
He hailed the latest Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan, describing it as an important strategic step to strengthen regional security and stability.
Abbas briefed Erdogan on the situation in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, accusing Israel of settlement expansion, land seizures, home demolitions, arrests, and provocations at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City, which have led to a dangerous escalation of the situation.
Although various parties have announced the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Israel continues its blockade and military operations in the enclave, resulting in a persistent humanitarian crisis and casualties in the region, Abbas said.
Abbas reiterated that Gaza is an inseparable part of the Palestinian state, and there can be no state without Gaza.
He emphasized that a future Palestinian state must operate under a centralized governance model defined by one state, one law, one legitimate institution, and one legitimate armed force.
Abbas arrived in Ankara on Tuesday for a two-day official visit.
The visit comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday formally rejected the U.S.-backed 15-point plan for ending the Gaza conflict, insisting that Israel will not withdraw its forces from the enclave until Hamas is fully disarmed.
