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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan commenced a four-day diplomatic tour of the Balkans today, aiming to address regional and global issues of mutual concern.

The tour, scheduled from Jan. 28 to 31, will see Fidan engaging with officials in Albania, Bulgaria and Romania, according to a statement released by the Turkish ministry.

Today in Paris, discussions are set to take place regarding a potential cease-fire between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas, along with the release of remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Turkish and British top diplomats have discussed the ongoing Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip and Russia's invasion of Ukraine in the latter's first trip to Türkiye after he was appointed as the foreign secretary.

Israel and Hamas have moved closer to reaching a 30-day truce in the Gaza Strip, during which Israeli hostages and Palestinians could be released from Israeli prisons, Reuters reported.

However, the Israeli offensive in the town of Khan Yunis in the southern part of the enclave continues.

In a seismic development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphatically rejected the terms presented by Hamas for ending the ongoing conflict, denouncing them as tantamount to his country "surrendering." The outspoken dismissal comes against the backdrop of thousands rallying in Tel Aviv, demanding a change of leadership and urging a negotiated deal for the release of host

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has engaged in discussions with Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, as confirmed by diplomatic sources.

The meeting, which took place at an undisclosed time and location, focused on urgent matters related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Israeli strikes killed dozens more people overnight, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Thursday, including in the territory's south where Israel has intensified operations.

The renewed strikes came as medicine for hostages held by the militants and fresh aid for civilians entered the Palestinian territory under a newly brokered deal, mediator Qatar said.

In a groundbreaking development aimed at alleviating the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, Israel and Hamas have come to an agreement, facilitated through the mediation efforts of Qatar and France. This pivotal accord includes provisions for the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to the beleaguered Gaza Strip.

A deal to allow the delivery of medicines to hostages in Gaza and aid into the territory has been agreed following mediation by Doha and Paris, Qatar and Israel announced on Tuesday.

Out of the total equity capital inflows amounting to $642 million in November, the financial and insurance activities took the forefront with $318 million, while the share of wholesale and retail trade was 14 percent, the International Investors' Association (YASED) has said in a report.