Erdogan Uses Trump’s Gaza Deal to Boost Turkey’s Role in the Middle East

Post by : Saif Nasser

Turkey has turned its close ties with Hamas into a strong political advantage. By helping Hamas accept U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza deal, Turkey has increased its influence in the Middle East, surprising Israel and some Arab countries.

Hamas was initially hesitant to agree to Trump’s ultimatum: release Israeli hostages or face continued attacks. But after Turkey, which Hamas sees as a political ally, urged the group to accept the deal, Hamas agreed to the ceasefire and hostage-release plan.

Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him “one of the most powerful in the world” and “a reliable ally.” Erdogan’s role in the deal has strengthened Turkey’s position in regional politics and opened new opportunities for Ankara to negotiate with Washington on issues like F-35 fighter jets, U.S. sanctions, and security operations in Syria.

Experts say Turkey now has more diplomatic leverage. Sinan Ulgen, a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe, said Ankara can use this goodwill to resolve long-standing disagreements with the U.S. and strengthen its influence in the region.

Renewed Ties with the U.S.

The closer relationship between Ankara and Washington began during Erdogan’s visit to the White House in September, his first in six years. Talks focused on lifting U.S. sanctions imposed in 2020 over Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems, the stalled F-35 program, and security issues in Syria. Turkey is pushing for the U.S.-backed Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces to merge with the Syrian army, a step Ankara sees as a strategic victory.

Trump has also praised Erdogan for hosting Russia-Ukraine peace talks earlier this year. After Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad fell in 2024, Turkey gained influence by supporting opposition forces. Erdogan’s ambition is seen by some as a return to Turkey’s historical role as a key power in the Middle East, echoing the Ottoman Empire era.

Turkey’s Growing Influence

For years, Turkey was mostly outside high-level efforts to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Its support for Islamist movements, including Hamas, strained relations with Israel and some Arab nations. But to break the deadlock in Gaza ceasefire talks, Trump turned to Erdogan, recognizing his influence over Hamas. Turkish officials assured Hamas that the truce had regional and U.S. support, including Trump’s personal guarantee.

The U.S.-Turkey partnership on the Gaza deal gave Ankara a central role in the region. This worried Israel and some Gulf countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, who are cautious of Erdogan’s growing influence. Arab analysts noted that while Gulf countries wanted the Gaza conflict to end, they were uneasy about Turkey taking a leading role.

Pressure on Hamas

Hamas leaders agreed to the ceasefire under heavy pressure. The humanitarian situation in Gaza, continuous mediation by Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt, and the war-weary public played major roles in their decision. The deal allowed the release of Israeli hostages taken in Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 people and triggered an Israeli offensive that killed over 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.

A senior Hamas official said the main guarantee for Hamas came from four parties: Turkey, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. Trump personally assured that Israel would not resume military attacks if Hamas released hostages and handed over bodies.

Future of Gaza and Palestine

It remains unclear if the Gaza deal will lead to a Palestinian state. Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt say the plan lacks a clear roadmap for a two-state solution, which is a historic demand of the Palestinians.

Through the Gaza deal, Erdogan has successfully positioned Turkey as a key player in Middle East diplomacy, increasing Ankara’s influence over regional conflicts and U.S. relations.