Israel has expressed opposition to the presence of Turkish armed forces in Gaza as part of a US-led international force aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire in the Palestinian territory. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that countries contributing to the force should be “fair” to Israel, citing Turkey’s hostile stance during the Gaza war.

The US plan, unveiled by President Donald Trump, proposes an international force to help maintain the fragile ceasefire that began this month, following two years of conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. However, it remains uncertain whether Arab and other states will commit troops to the force.

Saar’s comments, made during a news conference in Budapest, reflect the strained relations between Israel and Turkey, which deteriorated significantly during the Gaza war. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan had strongly criticized Israel’s military campaign in the Palestinian enclave. Saar emphasized that Israel would not agree to the deployment of Turkish armed forces in Gaza, a stance that has been echoed by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The Trump administration has been in discussions with several countries, including Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, to contribute to the multinational force. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a visit to Israel, stated that the international force would need to comprise countries that Israel is “comfortable with,” without commenting on Turkish involvement.

The development comes as the international community seeks to consolidate the ceasefire and pave the way for a lasting resolution to the conflict. The US plan’s success hinges on the willingness of participating countries to commit troops and the ability of the international force to maintain stability in the region. As the situation continues to unfold, Israel’s stance on Turkish involvement is likely to be a key factor in determining the composition of the international force.