Turkey offers a haven for deported Palestinian prisoners
Turkey has declared its readiness to accept some Palestinian prisoners released by Israel as part of the ceasefire with Hamas. Earlier, Israel announced that some of them would be deported to reduce security threats.
Turkey's willingness to accept Palestinian prisoners was communicated by the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, during a visit to Qatar. Israel released the prisoners as part of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
"Our president [Recep Tayyip Erdogan] said that jointly with other countries we are ready to receive freed Palestinians. Other countries will also contribute to the implementation of the deal," Fidan said.
Israel deports prisoners
Israel announced earlier that some Palestinian prisoners, who are to be exchanged for hostages held in the Gaza Strip, will be deported. This decision aims to reduce security threats. The deportation involves those convicted of the most serious crimes, reports "Daily Sabah."
On January 19, a ceasefire began in the over 15-month-long war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The agreement stipulates that by the beginning of March, 33 hostages and approximately 1,900 prisoners will be released.
On Sunday, Fidan also spoke strongly against the proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump that Palestinians from the Gaza Strip be relocated to Egypt and Jordan. The Turkish minister considered this an inhumane approach.
According to Turkish authorities, Hamas is perceived not as a terrorist organization but a resistance movement. Since the beginning of the war, relations between Turkey and Israel have significantly deteriorated. Ankara has adopted a very harsh stance against Israel, accusing it of genocide and imposing a trade embargo on the country.
