Israel Opposes Turkish Troop Participation in Gaza Peacekeeping Force

Israel has declared its opposition to the inclusion of Turkish troops in the international force proposed to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, speaking in Budapest, attributed this stance to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's longstanding hostility towards Israel. Saar emphasized that countries contributing armed forces should be fair to Israel.

The U.S.-brokered 20-point ceasefire agreement calls for an international stabilization force to monitor the truce and support Palestinian police forces. However, it does not specify which nations will provide troops. The U.S. has indicated that it will not deploy its own forces but is working with Arab and international partners to develop the force.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced this position, stating that Israel will determine which forces are unacceptable, a stance reportedly accepted by the United States. Relations between Israel and Turkey have been strained, with Erdogan criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza and accusing it of genocide, allegations that Israel strongly denies.

The ceasefire agreement also involves the exchange of hostages and remains. Since the ceasefire began on October 10, the remains of 16 hostages have been returned to Israel, with another 12 bodies still to be recovered. In return, Israel has handed back 195 Palestinian bodies to Gaza, fewer than half of which have been identified.

Egypt has deployed a team of experts and heavy equipment to assist in locating the remaining hostages' bodies in Gaza. This effort is part of the broader ceasefire agreement, which includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza as the international force establishes control and stability, and as Hamas militants disarm.