On November 3, 2025, Turkey hosted a high-level ministerial summit in Istanbul focused on the ongoing crisis in Gaza, where representatives from several key Arab and Muslim nations gathered to address the fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire and its repeated violations. The meeting, convened amid escalating concerns over humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian enclave, underscored Turkey’s growing role as a mediator in the Middle East conflict. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who led the discussions, delivered a pointed call for Israel to immediately halt its breaches of the truce and facilitate the unimpeded flow of aid to Gaza’s beleaguered population. This summit came at a critical juncture, as the ceasefire—implemented on October 10, 2025, under a 20-point plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump—has been tested by ongoing violence, with both Israel and Hamas trading accusations of non-compliance.
The participants included foreign ministers and top diplomats from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia, alongside Turkey. These nations, which had previously met with President Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September, represent a coalition of influential Muslim-majority countries committed to stabilizing Gaza post-conflict. The choice of Istanbul as the venue highlighted Turkey’s strategic positioning, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his administration vocal critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which Ankara has repeatedly labeled as genocidal—a charge Israel firmly denies. The summit aimed not only to pressure Israel but also to deliberate on long-term solutions, including the establishment of an international stabilization force and the promotion of Palestinian self-governance.
In his post-meeting remarks, Foreign Minister Fidan emphasized the urgency of enforcing the ceasefire, stating that Israel has “regularly violated” the agreement and failed to uphold its obligations under the U.S. plan. He highlighted that since the truce took effect, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of nearly 250 Palestinians, including at least 236 documented by independent sources, with incidents continuing even on the day of the summit when three more Palestinians were killed near Rafah. Fidan urged the international community to sustain pressure on Israel to prevent a resumption of full-scale hostilities, declaring, “We do not want the genocide to restart in Gaza; we want the ceasefire to continue, and we want steps to be taken toward a two-state, permanent peace solution.” He also criticized what he described as Israel’s lack of genuine intent to pursue a two-state resolution, noting that the global community has “overestimated” Israel’s willingness to engage in such a process.
A central theme of the summit was the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the blockade and restrictions on aid have exacerbated famine-like conditions for the territory’s 2.3 million residents. Fidan specifically called on Israel to allow sufficient humanitarian assistance, including food, medicine, and other essentials, to enter the enclave without hindrance. According to reports from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, only about 145 aid trucks have entered Gaza daily since the ceasefire began—far below the 600 trucks stipulated in the agreement. No food aid convoys have reached northern Gaza via direct crossings since mid-September, leaving half of the households there facing worsening food insecurity. The Turkish foreign minister stressed that these violations not only undermine the truce but also threaten to shatter the fragile peace, potentially derailing efforts to rebuild the war-torn region.
Discussions at the summit also delved into the prospects for an international stabilization force (ISF) as outlined in Trump’s peace proposal, which envisions a U.N.-mandated mission to monitor the ceasefire and support vetted Palestinian police forces. Fidan noted that participating countries are actively working on defining the force’s mandate through the U.N. Security Council, emphasizing the need for legitimacy and clear standards under international law. However, uncertainties persist, including which nations Israel would accept as contributors. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has explicitly stated that Israel would not tolerate armed Turkish forces in the ISF, citing Ankara’s close ties to Hamas. Despite this, Turkey has expressed eagerness to participate, potentially deploying troops once the framework is solidified. Other potential contributors, such as Azerbaijan and Indonesia, have shown interest, but decisions hinge on avoiding vetoes from permanent Security Council members and ensuring the force operates without compromising Palestinian sovereignty.
The summit culminated in a joint statement from the seven nations, affirming that Gaza’s future must be determined by Palestinians themselves, free from any new forms of foreign hegemony or tutelage. The declaration rejected external control over the territory’s governance and security, advocating instead for inter-Palestinian reconciliation between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority to foster unity. Fidan relayed that Hamas has indicated readiness to transfer control of Gaza to a committee of Palestinians, aligning with broader calls for the Palestinian Authority to assume a reformed role in administration. The group also endorsed a reconstruction plan developed by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, urging Muslim states to lead recovery efforts. This stance contrasts sharply with Israel’s position, which insists on retaining security oversight, including a perimeter around Gaza, and excludes both Hamas and the current Palestinian Authority from postwar governance.
This gathering occurs against the backdrop of a protracted conflict that began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, leading to over two years of devastating warfare. The U.S.-brokered ceasefire, while a diplomatic breakthrough, has been marred by mutual recriminations: Israel accuses Hamas of failing to return hostage remains as agreed, while Palestinian officials point to Israeli strikes that have killed dozens, including children, in recent weeks. For instance, a recent Israeli operation following a discrepancy in body transfers resulted in over 100 deaths in a single day. Meanwhile, Hamas has been accused of diverting aid intended for civilians, further complicating humanitarian efforts. The Trump plan leaves key issues unresolved, such as Hamas’s disarmament and Israel’s full withdrawal timeline, fueling skepticism about its longevity.
Broader regional dynamics add layers of complexity. Turkey’s involvement reflects its ambition to assert influence in the Middle East, leveraging its NATO membership and historical ties to the Palestinian cause. President Erdogan has been particularly outspoken, describing Israel’s ceasefire adherence as “very poor” and accusing it of seeking pretexts to resume attacks. The summit’s emphasis on Palestinian self-rule also signals resistance to any imposed solutions, echoing calls from the international community for a viable two-state path. However, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintaining that Israel will hold security responsibility “for the foreseeable future,” bridging these divides remains challenging.
Humanitarian advocates and U.N. officials have echoed the summit’s concerns, warning that without immediate aid access, Gaza risks a humanitarian catastrophe. Reports indicate that the territory’s infrastructure is in ruins, with widespread displacement and acute shortages of basic necessities. The ongoing blockade has drawn condemnation from groups like the International Committee of the Red Cross, which has called for all parties to respect international humanitarian law.
As the summit concluded, Fidan expressed optimism that sustained diplomatic pressure could yield progress, but he cautioned that the international community’s assumptions about Israel’s commitment to peace have been misguided. The coalition plans to continue coordinating with the U.S. and U.N. to refine the stabilization force’s mandate, potentially paving the way for troop deployments in the coming months. For now, the Istanbul meeting stands as a testament to collective resolve among Muslim nations to advocate for Gaza’s Palestinians, even as the ceasefire teeters on the brink.
Looking forward, the outcomes of this summit could influence upcoming U.N. Security Council deliberations, where a resolution on the ISF is anticipated. If successful, it might mark a turning point toward lasting stability; however, persistent violations and geopolitical tensions pose significant hurdles. Analysts suggest that without enforceable mechanisms to hold all parties accountable, the cycle of violence in Gaza may persist, underscoring the need for robust international engagement beyond rhetoric. In the interim, the call from Istanbul resonates as a clarion demand for justice and humanitarian relief in one of the world’s most protracted conflicts.
