Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting on Gaza (Istanbul, 2025)

The Gaza Foreign Ministers Meeting, hosted by Türkiye’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, took place in Istanbul on 3 November 2025. The meeting was convened to establish diplomatic coordination among Muslim countries regarding the ceasefire process in Gaza, the humanitarian situation, and the achievement of lasting peace in the region.

Participating Countries and Representatives

The meeting was held at a hotel in Istanbul. Representatives from Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar attended the event. Prior to the meeting, Minister Fidan posed for a group photo with Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Pakistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Ishak Dar, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Jordan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi, and representatives from the UAE and Qatar.

Agenda of the Meeting

The main agenda of the meeting included the current status of the ceasefire in Gaza, the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region, arrangements regarding the governance and security of Gaza, and the protection of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

In his pre-meeting assessment, Foreign Minister Fidan highlighted that Israel had been fabricating pretexts to end the ceasefire, stressed the need for the international community to demonstrate firm resolve against provocative actions, and emphasized the importance of coordinated action among Muslim countries.

Statements by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan After the Meeting

Following the Gaza-related Foreign Ministers Meeting in Istanbul, attended by ministers from Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan addressed the press.

Fidan noted that the Gaza-related meeting held in New York, which included U.S. President Donald Trump, had initiated a new process. He stated, “The hope for peace that emerged from the subsequent summit in Sharm El-Sheikh gained the support of the entire world. Under the agreement reached, the exchange of hostages and prisoners began, humanitarian aid started entering Gaza, Israeli forces withdrew to the initially agreed line, and returns to northern Gaza commenced.”

Fidan emphasized that some problems had arisen in the full implementation of the agreement, noting that Israel had been regularly violating the ceasefire and obstructing humanitarian aid from reaching the required levels.

“We have now reached an extremely critical stage. The participating countries today share a common view: we do not want the genocide in Gaza to resume, and we fully support taking concrete steps toward a lasting two-state solution,” said Fidan, affirming that Türkiye is prepared to fulfill its responsibilities in this regard.

Fidan added, “The international community must continue to pressure Israel. Since the ceasefire declaration, Israel has killed nearly 250 Gazans. These attacks, aimed at provoking the Palestinians, must end immediately. Israel is also failing to fulfill its obligations regarding the delivery of humanitarian aid. According to the agreement, 600 humanitarian trucks and 50 fuel tankers per day are to be permitted entry. Yet, we simply do not see this volume entering Gaza.”

Fidan drew attention to the fact that humanitarian aid is being stored in warehouses or left on trucks due to Israel’s policies. He also noted that during the meeting, arrangements concerning the governance and security of Gaza were discussed.

Fidan stated, “Hamas is ready to transfer the governance of Gaza to a committee composed of Palestinians. These arrangements will become resilient to time and provocation as long as they uphold the rights of the Palestinian people.” He further explained that negotiations regarding the mandate and composition of the International Stability Force, planned to be established in the coming days, were also addressed today.

Fidan stated: "We agree that this process must be carried out with the consensus of mediators and the Palestinian side. Today, we also exchanged views on rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Gaza. We place great importance on international coordination in this regard." Fidan emphasized that concrete steps in this area must be taken swiftly, particularly given the approaching winter months.

Minister Fidan noted: "The revival of Gaza must also mean the renewal of hope and faith in the future for the Palestinian people. As countries participating in this meeting, we will closely monitor this issue. As participating nations, we hope that efforts toward Palestinian internal consensus yield results as soon as possible. We welcome the contacts being made in this direction. Unity among Palestinians will strengthen their representation before the international community."

Fidan pointed out that the Middle East has faced crises in the past, yet has always emerged as a region capable of generating peace and stability. Fidan highlighted that seven countries have come together with a shared sense of responsibility, saying: "Today, we are sending a clear joint message from here: there is no need to fabricate baseless justifications or resort to excuses to undermine the process. No action that sabotages the ceasefire can be permitted. The will demonstrated by the Palestinians must be met, and the path toward peace must be preserved. This journey requires patience and determination; as countries possessing these virtues, we will continue walking this path."

In response to a question about the formation of an International Stability Force in Gaza, Fidan said: "Various discussions and studies are ongoing. A key issue emphasized by countries here is the establishment of a force with a defined mandate and legitimacy grounded in a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution."

Fidan added that certain efforts are currently underway on this matter: "The countries we have spoken with have indicated that they will decide whether or not to deploy troops based on the content of this definition. The mission, powers, and responsibilities of the International Stability Force will determine how countries primarily make their decisions. I believe it would be difficult for countries to deploy troops if the mission definition contradicts their own principles and policies."

Minister Fidan said regarding Türkiye: "Our President has repeatedly stated, as you know, that he was one of the four leaders who signed the agreement in Sharm El-Sheikh. This clearly shows that we are ready to put our hand under the stone for peace and prepared to make any sacrifice. However, it is essential that the documents and frameworks emerging from this process meet the standards we can support. Therefore, our diplomatic engagements and efforts on this issue continue."

In response to a question about the envisioned governance in Gaza under the peace plan, Fidan stated: "Regardless of which document is prepared or which initiative is launched, first and foremost, the long-standing and internationally accepted definition of the Palestinian issue must not change. Ultimately, the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders and the realization of a two-state solution remain the internationally recognized definition of the Palestinian question, both in terms of international law and practice."

Fidan noted that Israel has never accepted this view, but emphasized that the overwhelming majority of the international community—including Türkiye—supports it. Fidan underscored that the top priorities are ending crimes against humanity in Gaza and ensuring the immediate continuation of the ceasefire: "But we hope this is not merely a temporary moment, because we must not allow the general definition of the Palestinian issue to be altered by exploiting this situation. Therefore, diplomatic sensitivity and careful consideration are required here."

Fidan stressed the need for reconstruction in Gaza and the return of its population, adding: "Clearly, no one wishes to see the emergence of a new mandate system in the process. We observe that countries have expressed concerns that steps taken toward reconstruction, peace, and security in Gaza could inadvertently lead to such an outcome."

In response to a question about how governance in Gaza should be shaped and the international community’s views on this matter, Fidan said:

"Fundamentally, we share a common understanding on this issue. Neither the Palestinians nor we have any difficulty with this. Israel and other influential international actors hold a different perspective. Diplomatic negotiations, dialogue, and groundwork are currently focused on bringing together these two differing viewpoints."

In this process, Fidan emphasized the importance of the text to be written and the system to be established, stating, "Our principle is that Palestinians must govern themselves and Palestinians must ensure their own security."

Fidan stressed that the international community must provide diplomatic, institutional, and economic support for implementing this process, saying, "There is currently a ceasefire, but when you seek to transform this ceasefire into a more lasting solution, the fundamental differences in views—deeply polarized on the Palestinian issue—resurface. These are disagreements that have remained unresolved for decades. Additionally, there is now a new mindset and security perception shaped by the ongoing genocide and war, which has lasted for two years."