Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has launched a negotiation process with Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages kidnapped by the Palestinian militants, an official source told AFP on Wednesday.
"They are negotiating to secure the release of the hostages," the source said, confirming a report by the private TV channel Haberturk.
Dozens of people have been taken hostage during Hamas's surprise attack on Israel.
The Turkish President, who has offered to mediate to restore peace, has been stepping up talks with his Middle Eastern counterparts.
Late Wednesday he spoke with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Anadolu state news agency reported.
It quoted Erdogan saying that on behalf of Turkey, "we are ready to do everything in our power", including mediation and "fair arbitration" to end the conflict quickly.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
"Avoid Travel": Advisory Issued For Indians In Bangladesh Amid Unrest
Israeli Strike Kills Field Commander In Elite Hezbollah Unit: Report "Humanitarian Crisis Due To Israel-Hamas Conflict Concerning": India At UN US Military Declares End Of Troubled Gaza Aid Pier Mission 'Entire NEET Paper Solved In 45 Minutes Before Exam?': Top Court To Centre "Had God On My Side": Donald Trump Recounts Being Shot At During Rally 32 Dead In Bangladesh Unrest, Protesters Set Fire To State TV Headquarters Trump Praises Secret Service Agent Who Took Shooter Out With "One Shot" Google Brings AI To US Broadcast Of Paris Olympics Video: Children Jump On E-Rickshaw, Chase Foreigners For Money In Delhi Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.