Ankara prepares brigade for Gaza stabilisation force, tensions rise with Israel

Türkiye is finalising plans to deploy hundreds of soldiers to Gaza as part of an international peacekeeping mission, even as Israel opposes the move and the United States has yet to make a final decision.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Türkiye is assembling a peacekeeping brigade of at least 2,000 personnel drawn from multiple branches of the armed forces, including units with prior peacekeeping and conflict-zone experience. The contingent would operate under a proposed UN-led stabilisation force alongside other partner countries, Middle East Eye reports.

The initiative is part of a Gaza peace plan brokered by US President Donald Trump, which envisions Türkiye playing a leading role in administering portions of the Palestinian enclave following Hamas’ withdrawal. However, Israel has publicly rejected the idea. “There will be no Turkish boots on the ground,” Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said.

Turkish officials have suggested that Israel’s reluctance stems from its unease at the presence of a strong NATO ally operating under a yet-to-be-approved UN mandate. Ankara, meanwhile, has emphasised its intention to participate in post-war reconstruction, humanitarian relief, and ceasefire implementation under an international framework.

Despite high tensions, Türkiye has previously played a diplomatic role in Gaza, including facilitating the return of Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin’s remains after 11 years. A senior Turkish official told Israeli journalist Barak Ravid that Ankara negotiated the handover while attempting to secure safe passage for roughly 200 Hamas fighters reportedly trapped in tunnels under Israeli control.

Nearly 1,000 Turkish soldiers have already volunteered for the proposed Gaza brigade, with additional personnel from engineering, logistics, and explosive ordnance disposal units expected to join. It remains uncertain whether Turkish naval units will participate, but officials have stressed that the mission is intended as a “coordinated international effort, not a unilateral deployment.” One Turkish official said, “Türkiye’s presence would ensure balance and credibility on the ground.”

A final decision on the force’s mandate and structure is expected after consultations between the UN and regional stakeholders. Turkish sources have expressed concern over language in draft UN documents that could authorise the force to disarm Hamas “by force if necessary,” warning that such provisions could allow Israel to dominate the operation. Ankara insists that the mission’s focus should remain on border security and reconstruction rather than enforcement.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has stated that participation is contingent on a UN Security Council mandate clearly defining the scope of operations, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has indicated readiness to deploy troops if required. Both Türkiye and Egypt oppose any language that could involve their forces in direct conflict with Hamas.

Trump has reiterated his support for the multinational mission, describing it as “the key to lasting peace” and pledging that UN approval will come soon. He also announced that he would personally chair the mission’s “Board of Peace,” a move that diplomats say would give Washington unprecedented influence over operations in Gaza.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post reported that a new US military-led coordination centre tasked with implementing Trump’s Gaza plan has replaced Israel as the primary authority overseeing humanitarian aid to the enclave.

By Vafa Guliyeva