Turkey readies military brigade for Gaza stabilisation force

The Turkish government is finalising plans that would result in the deployment of hundreds of soldiers to Gaza as part of an international peacekeeping force, as negotiations with the US and Israel continue on the issue, Middle East Eye can reveal.

Sources familiar with the matter told MEE that a peacekeeping brigade, estimated to include at least 2,000 soldiers, has been drafting personnel from across the country in recent weeks. The contingent, which would join the international stabilisation force in Gaza alongside other partner countries, is set to be made up of soldiers from multiple army branches with prior peacekeeping and conflict-zone experience.

The Gaza peace plan, brokered by US President Donald Trump, envisions Turkey as one of the lead countries to take over large swathes of territory in the Palestinian enclave from Hamas.

But the Israeli government opposes the move, Washington is yet to make a decision and a UN resolution has not been passed. 

“There will be no Turkish boots on the ground,” Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian told reporters on Sunday. Turkish sources say the hesitation stems from Israel’s reluctance to accept a strong Nato ally operating under a UN mandate - which has not yet been granted - in the enclave.

Read more: Turkey readies military brigade for Gaza stabilisation force