Pressure over Gaza’s ‘day after’ grows as Israel considers a Turkish role

Political pressure over the “day after” in Gaza is increasing, as mediators continue efforts to move towards the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, despite Israel’s refusal to do so. 

The Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on Tuesday that Israel may accept a Turkish role in Gaza, but only under certain conditions, including a softening of statements made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan against Israel.

The newspaper said that pressure over Gaza’s future is rising ahead of a scheduled meeting next week between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump in Florida.

It quoted unnamed officials familiar with the talks as saying that recent days have seen great pressure being exerted behind closed doors by mediators, with Turkey and Qatar playing a clear role, aimed at forcing Israel to agree to Turkey’s participation in an international force in Gaza.

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According to the officials, even if Trump appears to have accepted Israel’s veto on Turkey, mediators are continuing their efforts. 

In closed discussions, it is said that Trump wants to reach understandings that would allow him to show political progress and regional stability. He is expected, at least in the initial stage, to push for a Turkish role presented as “symbolic” or limited.

However, officials in Tel Aviv warned that such a move would be extremely sensitive for Israel. They see Turkey, under Erdogan’s leadership, as a problematic regional player. They added that agreeing to a Turkish presence in Gaza could be seen as crossing a “red line”, referring to Israel’s long-standing rejection of any Turkish troops being deployed in the territory.

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