Hamas' Political Bureau

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has engaged in discussions with senior Hamas officials in Istanbul to advance efforts towards a ceasefire that would facilitate a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas.

According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, Fidan met with Mohammad Darwish Ismail, Chairman of Hamas' Shura Council, and other key members of Hamas' Political Bureau.

A senior Hamas official predicted a ceasefire within days after U.S. President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seek a "de-escalation" in the fighting.

Biden talked on the telephone May 19 with Netanyahu and conveyed his expectation that tensions would be drastically reduced during the day on the road to a cease-fire.