Turkey demands UN resolution before deploying troops to Gaza

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Monday that a UN Security Council resolution would be required to authorise an international stabilisation force for Gaza, and that Turkey's decision on participation would depend on this step.

Fidan noted that the countries considering troop deployment to Gaza, as part of a deal brokered by US President Donald Trump, are keen to first understand the parameters of the proposed force.

"The countries would like to see a UN Security Council resolution that establishes the force, defines the mission's terms and grants it legitimacy," Fidan told reporters during a news conference in Istanbul, after meeting with the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, as well as representatives from the UAE and Qatar.

Several US officials in recent weeks have said that Turkey is being considered as one of the countries that could deploy troops to Gaza, an idea that the Israeli government strongly opposes.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said over the weekend that Ankara is ready to do whatever is necessary to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza, including sending troops if required.

"Whether these countries will send troops to Gaza will depend on the definition and scope of the mission," Fidan added. "What are the mission's powers?"

A senior Turkish official told Middle East Eye last month that Ankara wanted clarity on the rules of engagement and how the force would protect itself if it came under attack.

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Fidan acknowledged that countries might find it difficult to participate if the mission's mandate contradicts their principles.

"We are ready to shoulder the burden for peace and to make any necessary sacrifice," Fidan said. "However, it is important for Turkey to examine the resulting documents and framework to ensure they are consistent with our principles. Our diplomatic efforts on this matter are ongoing."

It remains unclear how the Israeli leadership might be persuaded to accept such a deployment.

Benjamin Netanyahu's government has reportedly been exploring the possibility of Azerbaijani troops participating instead of Turkish forces.

Meanwhile, Steve Bannon, a former senior official in the first Trump administration who is believed to remain close to the president, said last month that the White House had appointed Erdogan as "head of security" in Gaza, adding that Netanyahu would need to speak directly with Trump to seek a change in that decision.

Tensions between Turkey and Israel have escalated since Israel's genocide in Gaza began in October 2023.

Relations deteriorated further last year after Turkey imposed a trade embargo on Israeli businesses and joined a case against the Israeli government at the International Court of Justice accusing it of genocide.