Turkey: Gaza Civilian Administration & Vetted Police Must Precede Hamas Disarmament in Ceasefire Deal

Turkey Lays Out Conditions for Hamas Disarmament in Gaza Ceasefire Deal

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has articulated a critical prerequisite for any successful ceasefire agreement involving Hamas's disarmament in Gaza. Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the 23rd annual Doha Forum in Qatar, Fidan emphasized that the establishment of a credible Palestinian civil administration and a properly vetted and trained police force must precede any expectation for Hamas to relinquish control and weapons.

Prerequisites for Peace and Governance

Fidan highlighted that Hamas has expressed readiness to transfer governance of the enclave, but such a transition is contingent on these foundational steps. He firmly stated that demanding Hamas's disarmament as the initial phase of a ceasefire deal, without these administrative and security structures in place, is neither "realistic nor doable."

Proposed International Backing and US Role

The proposed new police force, according to Fidan, would explicitly exclude Hamas members and would receive robust support from an international stabilization force. Notably, Washington is reportedly pressing Israel regarding Turkey's potential involvement in this multinational force.

A Dire Warning for Global Diplomacy

In a stark warning, Fidan cautioned that a failure by the international community to advance this ceasefire plan to its next, crucial stage would represent a "huge failure" not only for the world but particularly for the United States. He underscored the personal leadership of U.S. President Donald Trump in pushing this initiative forward.