Turkey’s intel chief, Hamas leader discuss 2nd phase of Gaza truce, Turkish sources say

Turkey’s intelligence agency chief met top Hamas negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya earlier today and discussed necessary measures to be taken for proceeding to the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, Turkish security sources say.

The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, say Turkey’s MIT chief Ibrahim Kalin met the Hamas delegation in Istanbul within the scope of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, and they discussed steps to be taken to prevent what they said were Israel’s ceasefire violations.

They also discussed measures to be taken to resolve existing issues for proceeding to the second phase of the plan, the sources say, without giving details.

The second phase, which is supposed to see the deployment of an international force and the disarmament of Hamas, is supposed to begin once Hamas completes the handover of all the hostages. The terror group still holds the body of one hostage, Ran Gvili, claiming it cannot find him.

Israel has carried out strikes across Gaza, but says it was in retaliation for attacks on troops manning the Yellow Line, which the IDF pulled back to at the start of the truce.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.