Turkish President Recep Erdogan and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh have started talks in Istanbul amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Turkish media reported. The meeting at Dolmabahçe Palace started shortly after 14:30 local time.

CNN Turk said Haniya arrived around 2 p.m., reports confirmed by several pro-government media outlets, including NTV TV channel, DHA news agency and Hurriyet and Milliet newspapers. /BGNES, AFP