Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has made it clear that Turkish and Qatari soldiers will not be allowed to participate in the post-war Gaza stabilization effort. He also reiterated Israel’s objections to the composition of the US-backed advisory council overseeing the territory.
Under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, a “Board of Peace” was created, chaired by Trump, alongside a Palestinian technocrat committee to govern the war-torn region and an advisory “Gaza executive board.” Netanyahu has raised concerns about the make-up of this executive board.
“In the Gaza Strip, we are entering phase two of the Trump plan. Phase two means one thing: Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza will be demilitarized,” Netanyahu said in parliament. “There will be no Turkish or Qatari soldiers in Gaza,” he emphasized, referring to the International Stabilization Force (ISF) intended to maintain security and train a new police force to replace Hamas.
The ISF will be headed by US Major General Jasper Jeffers, but the composition of the contingents remains undecided. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the Prime Minister had instructed Israel’s Foreign Minister to raise concerns with the US Secretary of State regarding the advisory council, which includes Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi.
Israel has consistently opposed any Turkish involvement in Gaza, citing long-standing tensions that have worsened since the outbreak of the conflict in October 2023. The objections highlight growing friction over how the US plan for post-war governance in Gaza is being implemented.
