Israel opposes ‘hostile’ Turkey’s participation in Gaza security force

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Monday that only countries that are “at least fair” to Israel could send troops to secure Gaza, ruling out Turkey’s participation.

Under a US-brokered ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, a coalition of mainly Arab and Muslim nations is expected to deploy forces in the Palestinian territory devastated by Israel’s military campaign since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks across the border.

Turkey has been keen to join a planned international stabilization force, an idea Israel firmly opposes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said that Israel would decide which countries it would allow to join the security force.

“I would say that countries that want or are ready to send armed forces should be at least fair to Israel,” Saar said at a press conference alongside his Hungarian counterpart.

“During the last four years and even before that, Turkey, led by [President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, led a hostile approach against Israel, [that] included not only hostile statements, but also diplomatic and economic measures against Israel,” he said.

“So it is not reasonable for us to let their armed forces enter [the] Gaza Strip, and we will not agree to that, and we said it to our American friends,” he added.

Last week Turkey’s defense ministry said that the Turkish Armed Forces are prepared to take part in any mission assigned to them as part of international efforts to rebuild and stabilize Gaza following the ceasefire agreement.

While US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have described Turkey’s role as “constructive,” Israeli Prime Netanyahu has ruled out any Turkish troop deployment in Gaza or Israeli territory.

© Agence France-Presse