For almost two decades, Turkey has cultivated a relationship with Hamas — to the chagrin of some other countries in the region — but it won effusive praise from President Donald Trump in recent weeks for using those connections to help pressure the Palestinian militant group into reaching a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel.

As a guarantor of the cease-fire, Turkey is keen to play a role in Gaza’s future, seeing political and economic benefits. Israel is having none of it.

Emirati newspaper Al-Ain pointed out that recent actions taken by the Turkish government might indicate point to Hamas adharence to the ceasefire, while the Turks seek to gain influence in the Strip.

Before Friday’s handover, Hamas had returned the bodies of 22 hostages since the start of the current ceasefire.

Turkey on Monday hosts a string of top diplomats from the Islamic world to bring their influence to bear on the future of Gaza, as fears grow for the increasingly fragile truce.  Earlier on Monday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Hamas appeared committed to the truce,

Turkey's MIT intelligence agency chief met Hamas' negotiating team head Khalil Al-Hayya on Wednesday and they discussed the path to be followed in implementing the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire plan,

ANKARA, Turkey -- Europe should forge a deeper strategic partnership with Turkey in response to emerging global challenges, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Thursday on his first official visit to Ankara, which has played a crucial mediating role in the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.