Netanyahu draws red line on Turkish and Qatari troops in Gaza despite US plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that forces from Türkiye and Qatar will not be deployed to Gaza.

This declaration comes just days after the White House announced that officials from both nations would serve on a critical committee tasked with overseeing the administration of post-war Gaza.

Netanyahu also confirmed that a “specific disagreement” exists between Israel and the US regarding the plan in question.

Shift in rhetoric: From influence to military presence

Speaking at the Knesset podium on Monday, the Israeli Prime Minister asserted that these two countries—which he characterized as “hostile to Israel”—would possess “no authority or influence” within the post-war structures established by the administration of US President Donald Trump.

However, the US administration had already decided to include high-level representatives from Türkiye and Qatar in the “Gaza Executive Board,” which is set to undertake supervision of the region. This effectively means that these nations will play a role in overseeing the administration.

Prior to the US announcement, Netanyahu’s office had repeatedly emphasized that neither Türkiye nor Qatar would be permitted to gain any influence in Gaza following the war.

Yet, following Washington’s assignment of a formal role to these nations, Netanyahu shifted his rhetoric, moving the focus to the issue of “military presence.” The Prime Minister stated, “Turkish soldiers and Qatari soldiers will not be in the Gaza Strip.”

While it is known that Türkiye has shown interest in participating in a multinational force intended to ensure Gaza’s security, it is reported that Qatar has not even considered the idea of contributing militarily.

Assessments also suggest that the structure of the Qatari military is not suitable for such a mission.

The Gaza Executive Board, in which Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is expected to participate, and the Peace Council, to which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been invited, are parts of the 20-point plan Trump announced in October.

In a recent interview, Trump noted that the Peace Council would not be limited solely to Gaza but would also address global issues.

According to a draft charter reviewed by Bloomberg and Reuters, the board will function as a global assembly under Trump’s leadership.

The White House has invited at least 60 world leaders, including Netanyahu, to this structure, with countries being asked for contributions of up to $1 billion for permanent membership.

“We will argue with the US when necessary”

According to information reflected in the press, Netanyahu was not informed in advance about the inclusion of Türkiye and Qatar in the Gaza Executive Board.

Despite this, the Israeli Prime Minister argued that he could stand his ground against Washington when disagreements arise on fundamental issues.

Describing Trump as “our greatest friend in the White House,” Netanyahu stated that occasional differences of opinion do not damage bilateral relations, noting: “When Israel’s vital interests are at stake, we can argue, we can clarify our positions, and we can compromise when necessary.”

Condition of disarming Hamas

Questioning US initiatives regarding the transition to the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, Netanyahu defined the process with the following words:

“What is the second phase? The second phase is simple: Hamas will be disarmed, and Gaza will be demilitarized.”

Claiming that these goals would be achieved “the easy way or the hard way,” Netanyahu emphasized that the return of the remains of police officer Ran Gvili, who lost his life in Gaza, remains among their priorities.

Touching upon the recent protests in Iran during his speech, Netanyahu stated that they are following developments closely and spoke with praise regarding the Iranian people’s “struggle against the regime.”

Responding to statements suggesting Tehran might target Israel following Trump’s threat of an attack on Iran, Netanyahu issued a warning: “If Iran makes a mistake and attacks us, we will respond with a force it has never seen before.”