Will not allow Turkish troops in Gaza ‘Stabilisation Force’: Israel
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Budapest: Israel will not allow Turkish troops to take part in an international force the United States has proposed to oversee the ceasefire agreement in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Israel's top diplomat said Monday, the Associated Press reported.
The 20-point deal brokered by US President Donald Trump earlier this month calls for a force to monitor the ceasefire but does not mention which countries would provide troops.
It says the US would “work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilisation Force” to deploy in Gaza. The force would train and provide support to “vetted Palestinian police forces" and would “consult with Jordan and Egypt, who have extensive experience in this field.” The first phase of the ceasefire agreement is still being carried out, and focuses on the release of the remaining dead hostages in Gaza, in exchange for Palestinian bodies held by Israel.
Late Monday, the Israeli military said the remains of another hostage had been returned to Israel.
Since the ceasefire began on October 10, the remains of 16 hostages have been returned to Israel. Another 12 bodies still need to be recovered in Gaza and handed over.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to Hungary, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel opposes the participation of Turkish troops in Gaza because of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's longstanding hostility to Israel. Saar said Israel has communicated its stance to US officials.
“Countries that want or are ready to send armed forces should be at least fair to Israel,” Saar said. He did not elaborate.
US officials have said there would be no American boots on the ground in Gaza. Around 200 US troops are now in Israel working alongside its military and other countries' delegations at a coordination centre, planning Gaza's stabilisation and reconstruction.