According to the Washington Post, Trump praised Türkiye for using its longstanding ties with Hamas to push the group toward a ceasefire agreement with Israel. Ankara reportedly played a key role in persuading Hamas to release hostages as part of the ceasefire framework.

Officials familiar with Trump’s thinking say he envisions Türkiye not only as a guarantor of the ceasefire but also as a driving force in Gaza’s reconstruction and stabilization. U.S. Vice President JD Vance echoed this view, stating that “the Turks have played a constructive role, and we are very grateful for that.”

Israel’s Objection

Israeli leaders, however, view Türkiye’s growing influence in Gaza with alarm. Officials argue that Ankara’s ties to Hamas could shift the regional power balance and place “hostile forces” near Israel’s borders.

Michael Oren, Israel’s former ambassador to Washington, warned: “If we get rid of Iran and Hezbollah only to find Türkiye and the Muslim Brotherhood in Gaza, that would be extremely dangerous.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also drew a firm line, saying on October 26 that “Israel will determine which forces can enter Gaza — what is unacceptable to us will also be unacceptable to the United States.” Israeli diplomats have since intensified lobbying efforts in Washington to block Türkiye’s potential deployment in Gaza.

Ankara’s Stance: ‘Ready to Take Responsibility in Gaza’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has publicly stated that Türkiye is ready to take “a major responsibility” in Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction. He emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to delivering humanitarian aid and expressed openness to contributing troops to an international stabilization mission.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed that discussions on the proposed Gaza stabilization force are “ongoing,” noting that Turkish military officials are “engaged in talks with counterparts on what such a formation should look like.”

A Reconfigured Middle East Power Balance

After years of regional turmoil — including Israel’s campaigns against Hamas, Iran, and Hezbollah, and the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad — Türkiye is increasingly seen as a rising power filling a strategic vacuum. Trump’s approach, experts suggest, reflects a recognition that Türkiye could serve as a stabilizing force amid shifting alliances.