Turkish Foreign Minister Says Israel's Main Goal Is To Force Palestinians To Leave Gaza And The West Bank

JAKARTA - Israel may step up its aggressive actions in the region after the upcoming US presidential election, increasing the risk of widespread conflict to other countries, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned.

"Israel's main goal is to force Palestinians out of Gaza into Egypt and from the West Bank into Jordan. Such a scenario will plunge the region into more severe instability," the top diplomat said in an interview with the Hurriyet newspaper, reported by TASS November 4.

"Israel may not limit itself to the military response after the US election. (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu may take steps to destroy Iran's nuclear capacity. If this happens, the risk will increase that the conflict will spread to other countries," he continued.

According to Foreign Minister Fidan, Israel continues to put forward terms in talks with Palestinian militant group Hamas.

"This clarifies Israel using negotiations to buy time to achieve its military goals," he said.

He also said some progress had been made in the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. However, the Palestinian militant group "feels it is important to ensure a ceasefire paves the way for a process that would change the course of Israel's actions permanently."

"At our last meeting with Hamas, we discussed the situation on the ground, possible ceasefires, the need for humanitarian assistance, and the process of intra-Palestinian reconciliation," added Foreign Minister Fidan.