Ankara: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Trkiye is prepared to take on responsibility in Gaza, including the possible deployment of troops if required. Fidan stated that Trkiye is ready to fulfill its duties with a strong sense of obligation, and this message serves as a clear statement to the international community.
According to TRTworld.com, Fidan discussed the September meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and former US President Donald Trump, where they addressed key topics affecting bilateral relations and regional dynamics. He highlighted Trkiye's recent foreign policy actions and its reputation as a reliable partner, noting its growing importance in international cooperation.
Fidan elaborated on the discussions surrounding a United Nations Security Council draft resolution, which includes the proposal of a stabilisation force as part of the phased Trump Peace Plan. Ongoing talks aim to establish a legal framework for this force's mandate and operation, with the US consulting Trkiye on the matter.
Preliminary efforts for the stabilisation force have commenced with the establishment of a US-coordinated Civil-Military Coordination Center in Israel, inaugurated on October 17. This platform will monitor developments in Gaza following a ceasefire agreement, which Washington supported as part of the Trump-era ceasefire plan. Fidan emphasized the importance of this mechanism in addressing obstacles and maintaining commitment to the process.
Trkiye's active involvement in the Sharm el-Sheikh talks facilitated the Gaza ceasefire, with Egypt, Qatar, and Trkiye playing key roles in bringing the agreement into effect. Fidan noted that the declaration signed by these countries reflects ongoing political support for the truce rather than a traditional guarantor model. Additionally, Trkiye has appointed a humanitarian aid coordinator for Gaza to address the shortfall in aid delivery compared to Israel's commitments.
Fidan addressed the persistence of armed resistance in response to the continued occupation, asserting that resistance will persist regardless of the actor. He argued that the focus should be on establishing mechanisms to end the occupation and reduce oppression, rather than solely disarming groups like Hamas. Fidan emphasized the need to dismantle false perceptions and replace them with accurate narratives to advance diplomatic efforts.
He concluded by calling for a roadmap to end Israel's occupation and enable a two-state solution for Palestinians, highlighting the severe toll of the conflict, with nearly 70,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, killed in Gaza since October 2023.