Israel has voiced opposition to the deployment of Turkish armed forces in Gaza as part of a U.S.-led international force intended to secure a lasting ceasefire in the Palestinian territory. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that countries contributing to the force must be “fair” to Israel, citing Turkey’s hostile stance during the Gaza war. His comments, made at a news conference in Budapest, underscore the strained relations between Israel and Turkey, which have deteriorated significantly since the conflict began.
The U.S. plan, unveiled by President Donald Trump, proposes an international force to help maintain the fragile ceasefire that started this month after two years of fighting between Israel and Hamas. However, it remains uncertain whether Arab and other states will commit troops to the force. The Trump administration has been in talks with several countries—including Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Azerbaijan—about contributing to the multinational force.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has echoed Saar’s position, stating that Israel will not agree to the deployment of Turkish troops in Gaza. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a visit to Israel, said the international force must consist of countries that Israel is “comfortable with,” but he did not comment specifically 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 success of the U.S. plan depends on the willingness of participating nations to commit troops and on the force’s ability to maintain stability in the region. Israel’s stance on Turkish involvement is likely to be a key factor in determining the composition of the international force.
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