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A Turkish disaster response team remains waiting at the Gaza border for Israeli approval to enter the Palestinian territory to conduct search and rescue operations, a defense ministry source said Thursday.
The 81-member team from Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) left for the Gaza border just over a week ago with specialized search-and-rescue tools, including life-detection devices and trained search dogs.
"AFAD is still waiting at the border. Israel still did not issue any authorization" for the team to enter, the defense ministry source cited by the Agence France-Presse (AFP) said.
Gaza has been largely reduced to rubble after two years of Israeli bombardments.
Israel's relationship with Türkiye has nosedived since the Gaza war started in October 2023. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been adamantly opposed to a Turkish presence in Gaza.
Earlier this week, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said only countries that were "at least fair" to Israel could send troops to secure Gaza, ruling out Ankara's participation over its "hostile statements" and "diplomatic and economic measures" against Israel.
"It is not reasonable for us to let their armed forces enter the Gaza Strip, and we will not agree to that," Saar said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also recently expressed concerns regarding Türkiye and Qatar's potential involvement in Gaza, according to an interview reported by Israeli media outlet Ynet.
Netanyahu issued a direct challenge to both nations, stating, "Are you with us or not?" Netanyahu explained that countries often have competing interests, but Israel cannot be naive in assessing partnerships.
Netanyahu articulated his approach to evaluating non-fully-allied nations: "Countries have complex and sometimes contradictory interests, but you cannot be swept away by illusions. If you can bring them completely to your side—excellent—if not, recognize who you are facing and don't choose rose-colored glasses. Take what you can take, but be careful not to risk any core interest of yours. This is how I approach countries that are not fully allied nations."
Netanyahu characterized Türkiye and Qatar's historical positions toward Israel and Zionism by stating, "These countries, certainly Türkiye, were, to put it mildly, very hostile to Israel and Zionism in recent years. It is unfortunate because there should not be a conflict between us. But we are looking with open eyes."
Türkiye is hoping its role as a guarantor of the recent Gaza ceasefire will give it some leverage and allow it to participate in the international peacekeeping mission currently being put together.
"Türkiye is one of the architects of the ceasefire and signed the agreement. We did all our preparations and are waiting," the defense ministry source said.
The ministry source said efforts to establish a task force were ongoing, with Türkiye "still in contact" with counterparts over its participation, and its military "ready" to get involved if needed.
"The Turkish Armed Forces, in coordination with relevant state institutions, continue preparations, while diplomatic and military consultations with other countries are being carried out as one of the architects of the cease-fire agreement," the sources noted.
Qatar, along with Türkiye, Egypt, and the United States, mediated the ceasefire deal reached on Oct. 10.
The four countries signed a document formalizing the agreement during an international summit hosted by Egypt in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Netanyahu visited the U.S.-led headquarters in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel of the multinational force overseeing the Gaza ceasefire on Wednesday, his office announced.
Netanyahu also met with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Bradley Cooper.
"I am happy to host our American friends here in Kiryat Gat. They are working together with us on a plan to achieve a different Gaza, a Gaza that will no longer pose a threat to Israel," Netanyahu said.
"We want to bring it about that in the end, the goal that (U.S.) President (Donald) Trump and we agreed on–the disarming of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza–will be achieved. We are working on this in stages, together with other components of the plan," he added.
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The visit to CENTCOM's Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) came after the Israeli army killed more than 100 Palestinians, including 46 children, in the Gaza Strip since Tuesday evening, violating the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in place since Oct. 10.
Israel's renewed attacks also injured 253 people, including 78 children and 84 women, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Since the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, at least 211 people have been killed and 597 injured in Israeli attacks.
The new attack came after more than 100 Palestinians were killed in a series of deadly Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Tuesday.
Since October 2023, Israel's attacks on Gaza have killed more than 68,600 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 170,600 others.
The destructive war came to a halt under a ceasefire deal that took effect on October 10 under U.S. President Donald Trump's 20-point plan.
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