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Map Sparks Israeli Attack
The Israeli Foreign Ministry launched a sharp attack on Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan after a map of historic Palestine appeared behind him during a meeting with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid al-Dbeibah in Tripoli, a photo described as having “completely erased Israel.”
“completely erased Israel”
In the image and circulating videos, Fidan appeared alongside al-Dbeibah with a map of historic Palestine from the sea to the river behind them next to a sign reading “We will return to historic Palestine.”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry seized on the image to accuse Fidan of threatening Israel, saying on X that the Turkish minister “can spare the trouble of giving lectures and issuing threats.”
The ministry also said Turkey has no role in determining Israel’s security arrangements in the Gaza Strip, and stressed that Israel’s trajectory is disarming Hamas and making the Gaza Strip a “weapons-free zone.”
Symbols at Tripoli Meeting
A memorial plaque with Palestinian symbolism drew attention during the meeting between Libyan Prime Minister-designate Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in the capital Tripoli.
The meeting took place on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s Office, where Dbeibah received the Turkish foreign minister as part of Fidan’s visit to Libya.
In the photos and clips circulated, a plaque on the table stood out bearing a group of symbols connected to the Palestinian issue, including a model of the Al-Aqsa Mosque key topped with the word “Returning,” and a phrase referring to the entire Palestinian land “from the sea to the river.”
The official statements released about the meeting did not clarify the source of the plaque or the party that chose to place it, so it cannot be asserted that it reflects a Turkish message prepared specifically for the meeting.
Fidan’s Gaza Mediation
Beyond the map controversy, Fidan told reporters that Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and the United States continue mediation efforts to implement the Gaza peace plan, and he said they were opening “many files” described as impossible or highly complex.
“When transitioning to the second phase”
He added that they saw the Palestinian side making great sacrifices and accepting many things, while they repeatedly observed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government have nothing to do with the peace agreement and do not have any real intention to pursue it.
Fidan said: “When transitioning to the second phase, if Israel continues not to take any step despite the Palestinian side’s commitment to its undertakings, that may push other mediators to take a joint drastic step.”
He also said, “We expect the United States to exert the necessary pressure on Israel; otherwise, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt will take drastic steps,” framing it as a “debt on us toward our people and the Palestinians.”