Germany announces support for Türkiye’s mediation efforts on Israel-Palestine conflict

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - Germany on Friday announced support for Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesman praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s mediation efforts, and said the two leaders have been in close contact.

“The Turkish president is of course someone who is an important figure in the region, an influential president,” Steffen Hebestreit told reporters.

“It is natural that under such a situation, we are in contact, and having talks with such an important and large country. Türkiye has an influence in the region, and we would like to support them to use their influence,” he said.

Chancellor Scholz and Turkish President Erdogan had a phone conversation on Thursday, in which the two leaders discussed the latest developments in the Middle East.

Erdogan told Scholz Türkiye is making every effort to de-escalate the current crisis, and ready to play a mediator role for a solution to the conflict, according to a statement issued by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.

Earlier on Thursday, Scholz had a meeting with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Berlin to discuss efforts to deescalate tensions, and release hostages taken by Hamas, including German nationals.

More than 1,500 Palestinians and 1,300 Israelis have been killed since the escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict on Saturday.

In response to surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Flood by Hamas, Israel formally declared war and launched hundreds of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

Israel has given residents in northern Gaza 24 hours to evacuate their homes and move to the south, in another sign of expected Israeli ground offensive.

The UN's Palestine refugee agency UNRWA condemned the Israeli move, saying Gaza is fast becoming “a hell hole” and is “on the brink of collapse.”