ISTANBUL -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for talks that focused on the conflict in Gaza , Erdogan’s office said, ahead of a planned address to parliament Thursday.

Erdogan’s office announced late Wednesday that the two discussed “the massacres carried out by Israel in Palestinian territories” and “the steps that need to be taken to establish a permanent cease-fire and peace” at the presidential palace in Ankara.

The statement, released on the social media platform X, indicated that Erdogan pledged continuous support for “Palestine’s just cause” and to work to “increase the pressure on Israel by the international community … especially the Islamic world” to facilitate humanitarian aid and achieve peace.

Abbas arrived Wednesday for a visit that comes as the threat of Iranian retaliation against Israel over the assassination of Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh heightened concerns of the conflict spreading across the Middle East. Erdogan, a prominent supporter of Hamas and the broader Palestinian cause, invited Abbas after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United States Congress in July. The Palestinian leader is scheduled to address a special session of lawmakers Thursday in Ankara.

In contrast to Western nations that have labeled Hamas a terrorist organization, Erdogan has praised the group, calling it a liberation movement. He also hosted Haniyeh in Turkey on several occasions.

Abbas, based in Ramallah in the West Bank, is the head of the Palestinian Authority. The Authority has been largely sidelined since the conflict in Gaza began when Hamas militants launched an attack on southern Israel in October, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of around 250 hostages.

Abbas is also the leader of the Fatah party, which has a long-standing disagreement with Hamas. After Hamas won elections in Gaza in 2006, a brief armed conflict erupted between Fatah and Hamas fighters.

Besides supporting Hamas, Erdogan has been a vocal opponent of Israel's military operations in Gaza, accusing the Israeli government of carrying out genocide and comparing Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler.

In May, Turkey suspended trade with Israel , citing its attack on Gaza. On Aug. 7, Turkey filed a request with a United Nations court to join South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel.

The Turkish president has criticized Western countries for backing Israel and has called for its leaders to be held accountable in international courts.

Haniyeh's death two weeks ago in Iran, allegedly from an Israeli strike, which came shortly after a senior Hezbollah commander was killed in Lebanon, has led to escalating regional tensions as leaders watch for an anticipated Iranian response to the targeting of its allies.

Shortly before Abbas’ arrival, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Jeffry Flake stated that Washington was seeking the assistance of Turkey and other countries with amicable relations with Tehran to de-escalate the situation.

“Turkey can engage with groups that we are unable to engage with regarding the situation in Gaza,” he was reported as saying by the state-run Anadolu news agency late Wednesday. “We encourage our interlocutors and partners here to make efforts to reduce tensions wherever they can.”