Türkiye role crucial in Hamas-Israel cease-fire deal: Legal expert

Türkiye’s diplomatic relations with Hamas played a significant role in facilitating the Jan. 15 cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel, according to international law expert Anas Zeineddin.

“Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s policy, Türkiye has provided space for Hamas officials,” Zeineddin said. “The significant relations between Hamas and Türkiye have played a crucial role in reaching this agreement.”

The ceasefire agreement represents a significant step toward establishing lasting peace in the Middle East, aiming not only to end hostilities but also to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and strengthen diplomatic relations in the region.

Potential challenges to Israel-Hamas cease-fire

However, Zeineddin warned about potential challenges in maintaining the agreement. “There is a high probability that Israel might not comply with this agreement,” he said, citing Article 40 of the 1907 Hague Convention, which gives Palestine the right to resume hostilities if Israel seriously violates the cease-fire terms.

The legal expert emphasized that the agreement doesn’t prevent the ongoing legal proceedings against Israel. “Despite this agreement, the genocide case before the International Court of Justice and more importantly, the process initiated by the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor will continue,” Zeineddin stated.

“These perpetrators of genocide must be held accountable to prevent such atrocities from happening anywhere else in the world.”

Türkiye, alongside Qatar, stands as one of the few nations maintaining open channels with Hamas.

“The meetings between Hamas and Türkiye, and Türkiye’s willingness to provide space for Hamas officials, demonstrate Türkiye’s importance and role,” Zeineddin noted with a nod to Türkiye’s unique position in regional diplomacy.

The agreement comes after what Zeineddin described as one of history’s largest genocides in Gaza, resulting in widespread destruction of infrastructure and numerous Palestinian casualties.

He stressed that while the cease-fire provides relief to the Palestinian people, there are calls within Gaza against normalizing relations with those responsible for the destruction.

Zeineddin also noted that all states must comply with the 1907 Hague Convention rules, which are largely accepted as customary international law, regardless of whether they are signatories to the convention.