Turkey reveals international negotiations to deploy a stabilization force in Gaza to separate Israelis and Palestinians.
Arabian Sea Newspaper - Agencies:
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan revealed on Saturday that negotiations are ongoing between a number of regional and international countries regarding the formation of an international force to establish stability in the Gaza Strip, noting that discussions are still underway regarding the nature of the mandate of this force and its rules of engagement, according to Reuters. In statements made during his participation in the "Doha Forum" in the Qatari capital, Fidan explained that "the main goal of this force should be to separate the Israelis and Palestinians along the border," referring to the lines of contact in Gaza. The Turkish minister pointed out that his country is engaged in intensive consultations with various parties, including the United States, Qatar, and European countries, to discuss the possibility of sending this force within an international framework, stressing that "ending the destruction in Gaza requires a safe and stable environment that allows the provision of humanitarian aid and the resumption of reconstruction efforts." Fidan affirmed that his country "does not support any unilateral steps or arrangements that are not accepted by the Palestinian people," pointing out that the proposed force must operate under strict controls, and under international or regional supervision, to ensure that it does not turn into a tool of pressure or an alternative administration. He added: "We need solutions that take Gaza out of the cycle of continuous war, not introduce it into new, more complex equations. The proposed force must ensure protection, not exacerbate tension." This is the first time that Turkey has spoken publicly about this proposal, which opens the door to new transformations in the international approach to the Palestinian issue, and may reflect an attempt to fill a security vacuum that may arise in the event of the implementation of a truce agreement or a long-term ceasefire.
