Israel Rules Out Turkish Troops in Gaza Force

Israel has formally ruled out allowing Turkish troops to join the proposed international stabilization force for Gaza, citing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s hostile statements and actions toward Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar have stressed that Israel will decide which foreign contingents are acceptable on its territory as a matter of sovereignty and security. U.S. officials have sought to reassure Israel and Washington has said it will not send U.S. troops to the mission. President Donald Trump’s 20‑point ceasefire plan envisions a temporary international force to train and support vetted Palestinian police and to consult with neighboring states such as Jordan and Egypt, but contributing countries have not been finalized. Potential contributors and regional partners have demanded clearer rules of engagement and a strictly peacekeeping mandate before committing, and negotiations over the force’s composition and mandate remain unresolved amid a fragile ceasefire; exchanges have returned roughly a mid‑teens number of hostages’ remains so far.