Hamas 'very concerned' over Erdoğan-Herzog meeting

Photo: AA

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Hamas has criticized Turkey's move to mend ties with Israel after its president's visit to Ankara.

Invited by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President Isaac Herzog of Israel paid a visit to Turkey on March 9-10.

Releasing a written statement, Hamas said it was following with concern the visits of "Zionist leaders to Arab and Islamic countries."

"We express our sorrow over these visits to our brothers in Arab and Islamic countries, which we consider the 'strategic depth' of our Palestinian people and their just national cause," said Hamas.

The "Zionist entity" should not be given the opportunity to penetrate the region and "meddle with the interest of our peoples."

It will continue to fulfill the principle of "not communicating with the enemy," said Hamas.

Turkey has long supported Hamas under Erdoğan's rule. In late 2020, he met Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the group's political wing.

The Islamic Jihad, another Gaza-based group, also condemned Turkey over Herzog's visit.

The visit "shunt aside the blood of Turkish martyrs who died for Gaza," it said, referring to the 2010 incident where Israel's soldiers raided the Mavi Marmara vessel bringing aid to Gaza and killed 10 people. (AEK/VK)