Erdogan turns Trump's Gaza deal into Turkey's geopolitical game

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan turned the peace agreement Donald Trump on Gaza to a political victory. Thanks to Ankara's influence on Hamas, it was Turkey that helped persuade the group to agree to a ceasefire, which significantly raised the country's status in the international arena.

Turkey has become a key intermediary

As reported by Reuters, It was Turkey that played a decisive role in getting Hamas to accept the offer to cease hostilities and exchange hostages. Donald Trump has publicly thanked Erdogan for this involvement, calling him «one of the most influential leaders in the world».

After the signing of the agreements, Ankara became a central player, without which no serious peace initiative in the Middle East can be imagined.

Benefits for Ankara in relations with the United States

According to experts, Turkey is planning to use its new political clout to achieve favourable decisions in its relations with the United States - from lifting sanctions to returning to the fighter jet programme F-35.

During his visit to Washington in September, Erdogan discussed with the US administration ways to deepen cooperation in defence, energy and regional security.

Reaction of neighbouring countries

Turkey's growing role has caused concern among several Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE. Although they support the idea of stability, they are not ready to see Ankara as the dominant mediator in Middle Eastern issues.

Arab political commentator Ayman Abdel Nour noted that Erdogan «knows how to turn any event into an opportunity to increase Turkey's influence and appropriate diplomatic achievements».

Changing the balance of power

Thanks to the new agreement, Ankara has actually regained the role of one of the main mediators between the West and the Muslim world.
For Trump, this agreement was a confirmation of his «deal diplomacy», and for Erdogan, it was a chance to show that Turkey remains a regional power capable of influencing the most complex conflicts of our time.

Despite the fact that the agreement does not resolve the key issue of the creation of a Palestinian state, it has helped to stop the bloodshed and partially restore humanitarian supplies to Gaza.