Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with a Hamas delegation led by newly elected leader Khalil al-Hayya in Ankara, according to his office.
During the talks, Fidan reaffirmed Turkey's backing for the Palestinian cause, which he characterized as "just." Foreign Ministry sources told state media that Fidan congratulated al-Hayya on assuming his position and pledged that Ankara would maintain its support for Gaza. Fidan also expressed "appreciation" For Hamas's involvement in peace efforts.
Al-Hayya, 65, departed Gaza before Hamas's October 2023 attack and has primarily resided in Qatar, though he has visited Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria. He has led Hamas's negotiating team in ceasefire discussions with the United States.
In January 2025, al-Hayya described the October attack, which killed approximately 1,200 people predominantly Israeli civilians, as "a source of pride for our people... to be passed down from generation to generation."