Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday expressed his approval of the recently brokered Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. Erdogan's remarks were shared on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, highlighting Turkey's role in the negotiations held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan conveyed his gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump for his political efforts that encouraged Israel to agree to the ceasefire. Erdogan also acknowledged the vital support from Qatar and Egypt in facilitating the agreement. The Turkish leader emphasized Turkey's commitment to monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire and its ongoing support for the creation of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Erdogan extended heartfelt greetings to the Palestinian people, recognizing their resilience and suffering over the past two years. He highlighted the significant losses and struggles endured by Palestinians under the harsh conditions in Gaza. The 20-point ceasefire plan, which was initially announced on September 29, includes the exchange of captives, the disarmament of Hamas, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

The conflict, which has intensified since October 2023, has resulted in the deaths of nearly 67,200 Palestinians, the majority being women and children. The ongoing violence has rendered Gaza nearly uninhabitable, with widespread starvation and disease affecting the population.