Turkey Says Ready to Join Multinational Force in Gaza

"With the experience gained in previous peace missions, the Turkish Armed Forces is ready to undertake any task entrusted to it for the establishment and maintenance of peace within the framework of international law," ministry sources told reporters during a weekly briefing in Ankara.

Preparations for the planned task force were ongoing in coordination with other state institutions, the sources said, highlighting urgent humanitarian aid delivery and infrastructure reconstruction as top priorities.

"We welcome the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and believe it is an important step towards establishing lasting peace in the region," ministry spokesman Zeki Aktürk said.

"We hope this development will be a beginning that will open the door to a comprehensive, fair and sustainable peace and ultimately contribute to the goal of a two-state solution."

Defense Minister Yaşar Güler earlier reaffirmed Ankara’s readiness to participate in the mission after meeting with NATO counterparts. 

"We emphasized... our satisfaction with the ceasefire achieved in Gaza and that this ceasefire should be the beginning of a two-state fair solution, the importance of the ceasefire being fully implemented and uninterrupted humanitarian aid," Güler said in a written statement.

A declaration signed on Oct. 13 in Egypt by U.S. President Donald Trump and regional leaders aims to solidify a long-sought peace deal in Gaza.

Under the plan, Israel will conduct a partial withdrawal from Gaza, to be replaced by an international force coordinated by a U.S.-led command center, including Turkish, Egyptian, Qatari and Emirati troops.

Meanwhile, Turkey appointed diplomat Mehmet Güllüoğlu as the Palestinian Humanitarian Aid Coordinator to oversee humanitarian operations in Gaza and liaise with local authorities and international organizations.

Güllüoğlu, who arrived in the region with his team on Oct. 15, “will conduct investigations to identify the humanitarian aid materials and priorities needed in Gaza and will coordinate with United Nations agencies,” Foreign Ministry sources said on Oct. 16.

He is tasked with ensuring that aid sent from Turkey reaches those in need efficiently and with strengthening the country's health assistance for Gaza, including the evacuation of patients.

Since Israel’s attacks began in October 2023, Turkey has delivered 102,000 tons of humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza by sea and air, according to officials.