Turkey says it is in contact with Hamas over international abductees

Negotiations are underway with the Palestinian extremist group Hamas for the release of hostages from “several countries,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says.

Ankara is talking to the “political wing of Hamas,” Fidan said on Tuesday in Beirut, citing “requests from various countries regarding the release of their citizens,” according to local media.

Earlier, Ankara said it was holding talks for the release of civilians Hamas kidnapped from Israel.

It was immediately unclear if Turkey was also in contact with Israel regarding the issue.

Israel says Hamas militants kidnapped at least 199 people, among them many dual-nationals.