ISTANBUL, April 20, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh began talks in Istanbul on Saturday as tensions in the Middle East soar, Turkish media reported.

The meeting at the Dolmabahce Palace started shortly after 2:30 pm (1130 GMT). CNN Turk said Haniyeh arrived at around 2:00 pm, reports confirmed by several pro-government media.