According to the Foreign Office (FO), the meeting was hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and brought together foreign ministers from Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Indonesia. The gathering is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas holds, and to push for a lasting peace solution in Gaza.
Upon arrival, Ishaq Dar was received by Ambassador Ahmet Cemil Miroğlu, Director General of Protocol at the Turkish Foreign Ministry, along with officials from Pakistan’s Embassy in Ankara. The FO said that Dar’s participation underscores Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and its support for the Palestinian cause.
The meeting followed the October 9 ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, brokered under the U.S.-led initiative by President Donald Trump. Under the deal, Hamas agreed to release Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. However, despite the agreement, Israel has resumed airstrikes on Gaza, drawing international condemnation.
The Istanbul meeting aims to coordinate a unified Muslim response to the violation of the ceasefire and to reinforce diplomatic pressure for its full implementation. Ankara is reportedly advocating for Palestinians to take control of Gaza’s governance and security after the truce, ensuring local ownership of reconstruction efforts.
A Turkish Foreign Ministry source told Reuters that Minister Fidan will highlight “the importance of coordinated action by Muslim nations for the ceasefire to evolve into a lasting peace.”
In its statement, Pakistan’s FO said that Islamabad would call for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories, as well as for unrestricted humanitarian aid to reach civilians. The Pakistani delegation is also expected to emphasize the urgent need to rebuild Gaza and reaffirm support for an independent, viable Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also addressed delegates from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), saying Hamas appeared “determined to stick to the truce.” He stressed that Muslim nations must take the lead in rebuilding Gaza and ensuring long-term peace.
“It seems that Hamas is quite determined to adhere to the agreement,” Erdogan said. “At this point, we need to deliver more humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza and then begin reconstruction efforts. The Israeli government is doing everything in its power to prevent this.”
A day before the meeting, Foreign Minister Fidan also held talks with a Hamas delegation led by senior negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, during which he reiterated the importance of Palestinian governance in Gaza and the need for international recognition of the two-state solution.
Through this high-level meeting, Muslim nations aim to form a joint diplomatic front to safeguard Palestinian rights, prevent further escalation, and transform the fragile ceasefire into a foundation for enduring peace in the region.
