Turkey deepens Gaza involvement, meeting Hamas leaders to shape ceasefire and reconstruction—sparking Israeli alarm over Ankara’s regional ambitions.
Ankara — Turkey is maneuvering aggressively to secure a leading role in Gaza’s post-war landscape, deepening its ties with Hamas and angling for influence over the multinational force expected to supervise the fragile ceasefire.
According to reports, İbrahim Kalın, head of Turkish military intelligence, met this week in Ankara with Hamas deputy leader Khalil al-Hayya and other senior operatives. The closed-door discussions centered on “monitoring and implementing” the ceasefire agreement — and crucially, on shaping the disarmament and reconstruction phases that will define Gaza’s next chapter.
The Hamas delegation reportedly thanked Turkey for its mediation role and humanitarian aid but also pressed for Ankara’s continued political backing. Kalın used the opportunity to highlight Turkey’s ongoing aid deliveries, portraying Ankara as Gaza’s indispensable partner in the humanitarian arena.
But in Jerusalem, the tone was markedly different. Israeli officials expressed deep concern over Turkey’s bid to participate in any international stabilization force. Israel views President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s regime as openly hostile — from its embrace of Hamas leadership to its relentless campaigns against Israeli sovereignty in international forums.
“Ankara’s goal isn’t peace — it’s positioning,” one senior Israeli security source said. “Turkey seeks to turn Gaza’s reconstruction into a geopolitical theater to expand its regional footprint at Israel’s expense.”
For years, Turkey has played a double game: maintaining NATO membership and diplomatic outreach while sheltering Hamas figures and funding anti-Israel networks. Its recent charm offensive — using humanitarian aid as diplomatic leverage — is seen in Jerusalem as an effort to legitimize Hamas through back channels.
The Israeli government insists that any future international mission in Gaza must exclude states with direct ties to terrorist organizations. “Peacekeepers cannot include those who finance or harbor the very groups they are meant to neutralize,” a senior Israeli official said.
While Turkey seeks global recognition as a “protector of Gaza,” Israel sees a familiar pattern — a power play disguised as peacekeeping.
As diplomatic talks continue, one reality is becoming clearer: Israel will not permit Hamas’s enablers to police its aftermath.
