Turkish troops stand ready for Gaza ceasefire force despite Israeli objection

Türkiye has prepared its military units to deploy as part of an international stabilization force in Gaza following the ceasefire, positioning itself as a key guarantor of the peace. According to security sources in Ankara, Türk forces are "standing by" and can be mobilized immediately, despite political objections from Israel regarding their presence in the enclave.

Türkiye asserts its role as a ceasefire guarantor

Ankara has been a principal mediator alongside Qatar and Egypt in securing the truce and facilitating prisoner exchanges, solidifying its role as a signatory and proposed guarantor of the agreement. Sources stated that as a guarantor, Türkiye is prepared to shoulder the related responsibilities and that its presence is necessary for the mission's legitimacy and success. They argued that objecting to Türkiye's participation suggests an intent to continue hostilities rather than secure peace.

Diplomatic friction between Washington and Tel Aviv

The deployment plan has created diplomatic friction. While the United States reportedly supports and is pressuring for Turkish involvement in the force, Israel remains opposed. Sources indicated that the US views Türkiye’s stabilizing role as crucial for the mission. Ankara interprets Israel’s resistance as counterproductive, suggesting it undermines the very stability the force aims to achieve in the war-ravaged territory.

Coalition dynamics: key nations condition participation on Türkiye

The formation of the international force faces further complexity as several Muslim-majority nations, reportedly including Indonesia and Azerbaijan, have signaled they will not join unless Türkiye is also part of the mission. These countries view Türkiye as a pivotal facilitator whose presence would ensure regional buy-in and operational effectiveness, making Turkish participation a linchpin for the broader coalition's viability.