Turkey: UN Gaza force still under discussion amid ceasefire strains

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
3 Nov 2025 20:15

Turkey says talks on a UN Gaza force are underway as ongoing Israeli violations put the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire to the test.

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Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan addresses the audience during a press briefing meeting in Istanbul, on January 10, 2025 (AFP)

Efforts to establish a United Nations mandate for an international stabilization force in Gaza remain ongoing, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Monday, adding that decisions on troop deployments would come only after a framework is finalized.

Fidan made the remarks following a meeting in Istanbul with foreign ministers from several Muslim-majority countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Turkey. The talks focused on the fragile US-brokered Gaza ceasefire and the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Some of the participating countries may contribute to the envisioned UN Gaza force, which would help monitor the truce between the Palestinian Resistance and "Israel".

The group had previously met with US President Donald Trump in New York in September, shortly before the Gaza ceasefire was announced.

Turkey calls out 'Israel' for ceasefire violations

Speaking at a press conference, Fidan said that there were issues in fully implementing the ceasefire agreement, blaming repeated violations by "Israel", stressing that the latter must fulfill its responsibility to allow sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza.

An Israeli government spokesperson said that "Israel" is permitting “hundreds of trucks of aid on a daily basis,” while accusing Hamas of “derailing humanitarian aid meant for their own people.”

However, Gaza's Government Media Office stated that "Israel" is not letting in nearly enough aid trucks into the besieged enclave, reporting on October 21 that only 986 out of the promised 6,600 trucks entered the strip.

UN Gaza force still lacks formal mandate

NATO member Turkey, which has been a vocal critic of "Israel’s" military campaign in Gaza, calling it a genocide, has taken a prominent role in ceasefire mediation and has expressed interest in participating in implementation task forces.

"Israel" has voiced opposition to any role for Turkey in such efforts.

Fidan said countries are working to define the mission and give it international legitimacy before making any commitments to deploy troops. “They will decide, based on the contents of this definition, whether to send soldiers or not,” he said.

The ceasefire, in effect since October 10, remains fragile. Key issues such as the disarmament of Hamas and a timeline for "Israel’s" withdrawal from Gaza remain unresolved.

Turkey backs Palestinian governance after war

Fidan reiterated Turkey’s position that Palestinians should ultimately be responsible for their own security and governance in post-war Gaza. However, he noted that other steps must be taken before this can happen.

As discussions continue over the creation of a UN Gaza force, Turkey and its partners are urging that humanitarian aid in Gaza be delivered without obstruction and that the long-term goal remain a sovereign, self-governed Palestine.