Türkiye: Gaza administration, police force first before Hamas disarmament

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says that Hamas can only disarm once a credible Palestinian civil administration and a properly vetted, trained police force are in place.

Fidan told Reuters on Saturday that the group is ready to hand over governance of the enclave.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Doha Forum, Fidan said that expecting Hamas to disarm in the initial phase of the ceasefire deal without these foundational steps is neither “realistic nor feasible.”

He explained that the proposed police force would exclude Hamas members and be supported by an international stabilisation contingent, noting that Washington is pressing Israel over Türkiye’s request to join the force.

Fidan warned that if the international community fails to advance the ceasefire plan to its next stage, it would represent a “major failure” both for the world and for Washington, highlighting that U.S. President Donald Trump had personally championed the initiative.

Israel had said in October that it will not allow Turkish troops to take part in an international force proposed by the US to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza.

"Countries that want or are ready to send armed forces should be at least fair to Israel," Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar said at a press conference in Budapest. 

Türkiye once had strong diplomatic relations with Israel, though they have been at an all-time low over the war in Gaza, which was sparked by the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has criticised Israel, and particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, since the start of the war. He has accused Israel of genocide, which the Israeli government strongly denies.

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