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Turkish troops could deploy to Gaza by late October for joint task force

Turkish Underwater Offense (SAT) and Underwater Defense Group (SAS) Commands perform a demonstration at Istanbul Shipyard Command in Istanbul, Türkiye, August 31, 2025. (AA Photo)
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Turkish Underwater Offense (SAT) and Underwater Defense Group (SAS) Commands perform a demonstration at Istanbul Shipyard Command in Istanbul, Türkiye, August 31, 2025. (AA Photo)
October 10, 2025 10:36 AM GMT+03:00

Turkish troops could deploy to Gaza by late October as part of a multinational joint task force, with a command center expected to be established within two weeks, according to media reports on Friday.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Adm. Bradley Cooper is expected to establish the headquarters within two weeks, with about 200 U.S. troops initially participating in the joint task force.

U.S. officials said the 200 American troops will help build the force and will not be deployed throughout Gaza, but will only help construct and supervise the force to ensure there are no violations.

Cooper's team will include officers from Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and possibly the United Arab Emirates, according to media reports.

An Israeli military armoured vehicle is transported on the back of a truck along the Israel-Gaza border on October 9, 2025. (AFP Photo)
An Israeli military armoured vehicle is transported on the back of a truck along the Israel-Gaza border on October 9, 2025. (AFP Photo)

'Turkish Armed Forces ready for any mission'

Turkish Defense Ministry sources stated on Friday that the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) are ready for any mission assigned to them regarding Türkiye's participation in the Gaza Task Force.

"The Turkish Armed Forces, which have experience in establishing and maintaining peace, are ready for any mission assigned to them," the sources said.

The statement came after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Türkiye will take part in the task force that will monitor the on-ground implementation of the ceasefire agreement reached between Hamas and Israel.

Defense Ministry sources recalled that the Turkish Armed Forces have served in numerous international missions in various regions to date.

"The Turkish Armed Forces have served in numerous missions established by various organizations in different regions for the purpose of maintaining international peace and security, and have earned the appreciation of all parties with their professionalism and fair attitude," the statement said.

Turkish military experience in peacekeeping

The joint task force is not expected to be a combat unit. Türkiye has previously participated in multinational stabilization operations in regions such as Afghanistan and Bosnia and has commanded such forces on multiple occasions.

The 4th Corps Command includes a Peace Brigade, which has experience supporting such stabilization forces. The nature of Türkiye's support for the Gaza joint task force, as well as its working conditions and organization, is expected to become clear shortly.

After CENTCOM establishes the initial headquarters, Turkish troops could first conduct reconnaissance in the region and then deploy for duty toward the end of October.

KFOR personnel stationed on a rural road in Kosovo conduct security patrols in the countryside, with Turkish troops monitoring a checkpoint near a small village in Kosovo, on May 16, 2025. (AA Photo)
KFOR personnel stationed on a rural road in Kosovo conduct security patrols in the countryside, with Turkish troops monitoring a checkpoint near a small village in Kosovo, on May 16, 2025. (AA Photo)

US officials detail task force

About 200 U.S. troops will take part in a multinational force that will monitor and help implement a ceasefire in Gaza, U.S. officials said Thursday.

One official briefed reporters on condition of anonymity and maintained "no U.S. troops are intended to go into Gaza." The exact location where they will be staged is expected to be discussed on Friday.

The official said they would instead be tasked initially with establishing an initial "joint control center" before working to integrate with forces from other countries, "to deconflict with the Israeli army, and then to build the right force structure that's able to handle the missions as they are defined."

Cooper will "oversee, observe, make sure there are no violations, incursions," another official said, adding "everybody's worried about the other side."

"Much of this is going to be oversight," he said.

The officials further stated the troops would form the nucleus of a task force expected to include military representatives from Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and potentially the United Arab Emirates, according to reports in U.S. media.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. force will total up to 200 troops "who are already stationed at CENTCOM." They "will be tasked with monitoring the peace agreement in Israel, and they will work with other international forces on the ground," she said on X.

One official said the U.S. is engaged with "multiple governments" over the creation of what is being called the "International Stabilization Force," which will use the work done by the joint task force as it prepares to replace Israeli forces in Gaza along what is being called the "yellow line."

"And then there'll be discussions, and then we'll see if there really is a true pathway for, I think we're using a decommissioning of the military installations in Gaza and the heavy arms in order to get that going," one of the officials said.

"So that's kind of what we're working on right now, but I think more will come out over time. I think right now, we're just focused on making sure any gaps are patched up in the agreement," the official added.

U.S. soldiers inspect an oil extraction facility on the outskirts of Rumaylan, in Syria's PKK/YPG-controlled northeastern al-Hasakah province, Oct. 28, 2024. (AFP Photo)
U.S. soldiers inspect an oil extraction facility on the outskirts of Rumaylan, in Syria's PKK/YPG-controlled northeastern al-Hasakah province, Oct. 28, 2024. (AFP Photo)

Israeli media reports agreement details

Israeli media published details of the agreement signed between Israel and Hamas titled "Complete End to the Gaza War."

Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that the agreement was signed by both Israel and Hamas and approved by the mediator countries.

According to the agreement, clashes will end immediately upon the Israeli government's approval. The ceasefire covers complete cessation of all military activities, including airstrikes, artillery fire and ground attacks.

With the agreement taking effect, a ceasefire will be implemented immediately in Gaza and the Israeli army will withdraw within 24 hours to the border defined as the "yellow line." Following this process, Hamas is expected to release all Israeli hostages within 72 hours.

Hamas agreed to transfer information about dead Israeli soldiers to a joint mechanism to be formed with the participation of Qatar, Egypt, Türkiye and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The Israeli side states there are 48 Israeli hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom are alive, while more than 11,000 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons. According to Palestinian and Israeli human rights sources, these detainees are held under conditions of torture, starvation and medical neglect.

According to the document reported by the Israeli media, air surveillance will be suspended in areas from which the Israeli army has withdrawn during the first 72-hour period. The hostage release process will occur without any ceremony or media coverage and will be monitored by a joint committee consisting of the U.S., Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye.

KAN, citing unnamed sources, reported that some Israeli soldiers' bodies have still not been located and an Israel-Palestine-Egypt-Qatar-Türkiye joint mechanism will be established regarding this issue.

October 10, 2025 10:36 AM GMT+03:00
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