Turkey's prime minister says he may visit the Gaza Strip alongside Hamas' supreme leader, Khaled Mashaal.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a group of Turkish journalists on Tuesday that he could spring a "surprise" and join Qatar-based Mashaal if he visits Gaza next month. Mashaal has invited the Turkish leader, who has cultivated close ties to Hamas and has long announced his intention to visit Gaza.

Erdogan's comments were reported by state-run TRT television on Wednesday.

Hamas says no date has been set for a visit for Mashaal to Gaza but an official for the group says he may go before Dec. 7, when it marks the 25th anniversary of its founding. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the issue.