Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria, has publicly pressed for Türkiye’s inclusion in the planned International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza, calling Ankara’s participation indispensable to the mission’s credibility and effectiveness.

His remarks, delivered in an interview with i24NEWS, come amid continued resistance from Israeli leadership, which has categorically rejected any Turkish military presence in Gaza.

Barrack argued that Türkiye brings attributes no other prospective contributor can match, citing the strength of its military—NATO’s second largest—and its established channels of communication with Hamas. He said these capabilities could prove crucial in securing Palestinian cooperation and ensuring compliance with ceasefire mechanisms.

The ambassador stressed that Türkiye holds no hostile intentions toward “Israel,” adding that Ankara is not pursuing neo-Ottoman ambitions. He further described Turkish–Israeli normalization as both “logical” and possible, though he warned Israeli leaders that “you cannot fight with every country around you” while attempting to maintain regional stability.

Barrack also addressed Israel’s opposition to the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye, acknowledging Tel Aviv’s reservations as “understandable from their perspective.”

The International Stabilization Force is a key component of UN Security Council Resolution 2803, passed in November 2025 to support a phased ceasefire in Gaza. The ISF is envisioned as a multinational mission responsible for overseeing ceasefire implementation, ensuring humanitarian access, and helping establish a functioning Palestinian civil administration.

To gain acceptance from Gaza’s population, the ISF must include Muslim-majority nations—an aspect US officials say makes Turkish participation pivotal.

Ankara has signaled readiness to deploy a brigade-level force of roughly 2,000 personnel. Turkish officials argue that without Türkiye—and other countries viewed as legitimate by Palestinians—the ISF risks being perceived as an occupying force aligned with Western or Arab governments close to “Israel.”

Türkiye says its involvement would provide essential balance within the mission, facilitate communication with Hamas, and ensure that both Palestinian factions and Israeli authorities adhere to ceasefire terms.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has stressed that no progress can be made on disarming Hamas before a credible Palestinian civil administration and capable police force are established. He noted that Hamas is prepared to transfer governance responsibilities under appropriate conditions.

Israel has firmly ruled out Turkish participation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar have both declared that no Turkish soldiers will enter Gaza, citing Ankara’s close relationship with Hamas and its refusal to classify the movement as anything other than a legitimate resistance organization.

Israeli officials have repeatedly accused Türkiye of adopting a confrontational stance toward Israel under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian reaffirmed the rejection as recently as November 2025. (ILKHA)

Despite Israeli opposition, the United States considers Türkiye a cornerstone of the ISF. Foreign Minister Fidan revealed that Washington is exerting “active pressure” on Israel to accept Turkish involvement.

US officials fear that without Türkiye, the stabilization mission will lack sufficient buy-in from key Muslim-majority nations. Indonesia and Azerbaijan have reportedly conditioned their participation on Türkiye’s inclusion. Without them, American officials warn, the ISF could be dismissed by Palestinians as a foreign occupation.

Fidan cautioned that failure to move forward with the ceasefire framework would be “disastrous,” especially given President Donald Trump’s personal investment in the initiative. (ILKHA)