Erdogan tells OIC delegates in Istanbul

Relatives bid farewell to 17-year-old Palestinian Jameel Hanani, who was killed by Israeli forces, during his funeral in Beit Furik, near Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, yesterday. Photo: AFP

Hamas is "determined" to stick to the Gaza truce, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erodgan said yesterday, adding it was crucial that Muslim nations play a leading role in the Palestinian territory's reconstruction.

"It seems that Hamas is quite determined to adhere to the agreement," Erdogan told delegates from the Organization of Islamic States (OIC) gathered in Istanbul for their annual COMCEC economic cooperation summit.

His remarks came as Turkey prepared to host the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan and Indonesia for talks on Gaza's reconstruction as fears grow for the shaky October 10 ceasefire. The talks were set to begin at an Istanbul hotel later yesterday. "At this point, we need to deliver more humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza and then begin reconstruction efforts," he said.