ANKARA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Wednesday that Türkiye doesn't want the conflict in the Gaza Strip to spiral into a regional war.
"We do not want it to turn into a war that will affect the countries in the region. We call on actors to promote lasting peace," Fidan said at a joint press conference with his visiting Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian in the capital Ankara.
He said that Türkiye was ready to "take responsibility and be guarantor" if an agreement is reached to end the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Talking about the agreement to allow around 500 foreign nationals to leave Gaza, he said "negotiations are currently underway to include Turkish citizens among them."
The Iranian top diplomat, for his part, said Israel, the United States, and "supporters of war crimes will be responsible if the situation gets out of control," adding the responsible parties "will pay a heavy price for this."
Regarding Türkiye's offer to be guarantor, Abdollahian said "We support any proposal that will prevent the development of war and ensure the security of the Palestinian people."
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, firing thousands of rockets and infiltrating Israeli territory, to which Israel responded with massive airstrikes, ground operations, and punitive measures, including a siege on the Gaza Strip with supplies of water, electricity, fuel, and other necessities being cut off.
The Israel-Hamas conflict has killed more than 8,500 Palestinians in Gaza and at least 1,400 people in Israel, according to official figures from both sides.
