IRIA News

5 minute read

Turkiye hosted a high-level summit in Istanbul, bringing together top diplomats from Arab and Muslim nations to address the fragile ceasefire in Gaza and explore the future of post-war governance under a U.S.-proposed stabilization plan.

Foreign ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia attended the meeting. The gathering focused on sustaining the ceasefire, coordinating humanitarian aid, and establishing a framework for a Palestinian-led administration in Gaza once the conflict ends.

Following the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Israel had “failed to fulfill its responsibilities” under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan by “regularly violating the ceasefire” and blocking the delivery of vital aid such as food and medicine.

“We do not want the genocide to restart in Gaza. We want the ceasefire to continue, and we want steps to be taken toward a two-step, permanent peace solution,” Fidan said.

He emphasized that “the pressure on Israel from the international society should be sustained,” adding that Israeli strikes had killed nearly 250 Palestinians since the truce took effect on October 10.

Fidan said the Turkish position reflected a “joint view” of the participating countries, underlining a rare show of unity among Arab and Muslim nations on the Gaza issue. “Attacks that are trying to provoke Palestinians should end as soon as possible,” he added.

Fragile Ceasefire

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a series of strikes after discovering that a body transferred by Hamas did not match one of the 13 captives slated for release under the ceasefire deal. The 24-hour bombardment that followed killed more than 100 people, including 46 children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Though Israel announced plans to resume the deal days later, airstrikes have not stopped. At least three more Palestinians were killed on Monday in separate attacks.

Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that half of Gaza’s households say food access has worsened since the ceasefire began. No aid convoys have entered the northern Gaza Strip via direct crossings since mid-September, according to OCHA.

The Gaza Government Media Office said an average of 145 aid trucks have entered daily between October 10 and October 31, only about 25 percent of the 600 trucks agreed upon in the ceasefire deal. Many residents continue to rely on limited local supplies, with fuel and medicine in critically short supply.

Debate Over an International Stabilization Force

A major focus of the summit was the U.S.-proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF), a plan aimed at maintaining post-war order in Gaza and supporting a restructured Palestinian police force. The proposal envisions Washington working “with Arab and international partners” to train and equip vetted Palestinian officers, in consultation with Jordan and Egypt.

However, the plan has generated uncertainty among regional actors. Further complicating the proposal is Israel’s reluctance to accept certain foreign forces. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said last week that Israel would not accept armed Turkish troops in the Gaza Strip, raising questions about which nations could participate.

Netanyahu also appeared to differ from U.S. President Donald Trump on the interpretation of the ISF. During a joint press conference in September, he insisted that “Israel will retain security responsibility, including a security perimeter, for the foreseeable future,” implying that the Israeli military would maintain operational control even after the creation of the international force.

Turkiye’s Position and Regional Consensus

Fidan emphasized that Turkiye and its partners sought a Palestinian-led framework for post-war Gaza. “Our goal is to see Palestinians take charge of their own governance and security,” he said, warning against any external arrangements that undermine Palestinian authority.

Minister of Foreign Affairs @HakanFidan hosted the Ministerial Meeting on Gaza, in İstanbul. Indonesia, Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and United Arab Emirates attended the meeting. pic.twitter.com/fkOlDaGIa6

— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) November 3, 2025

He criticized what he described as the international community’s “overestimation” of Israel’s willingness to pursue a two-state solution. “Israel never agreed on this, and it never had any intention to approve this,” he said. “But the international society has based its opinion on this understanding.”

Participants from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan backed Turkiye’s stance, calling for “accountability measures” against ceasefire violations and stronger global coordination to ensure humanitarian access.

According to diplomats, the meeting also discussed forming a joint task group to coordinate relief efforts and monitor the implementation of the ceasefire terms. While no formal communiqué was issued, participants agreed to reconvene within weeks to assess progress and align regional positions ahead of potential UN Security Council deliberations on Gaza’s post-war status.

International Reactions

The United States welcomed Turkiye’s diplomatic engagement but maintained that any long-term arrangement must ensure Israel’s security concerns are addressed. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said Washington remains committed to “working with regional partners to ensure a sustainable peace that prevents the re-emergence of Hamas and protects civilians on both sides.”

The European Union also issued a statement urging all parties to respect the ceasefire and allow the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid. “We call for immediate, unhindered access to Gaza for humanitarian organizations,” said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

At the United Nations, Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation as “deeply concerning,” warning that “any further collapse of the truce would have catastrophic consequences for civilians.” The UN has urged member states to support independent mechanisms to verify ceasefire compliance and investigate alleged violations.

In the Arab world, reactions largely echoed Turkiye’s appeal for unity and accountability. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) praised the initiative, stating that “collective Muslim diplomacy is essential to protecting Palestinian lives and preserving regional stability.”

A Push for Sustained Peace

Analysts say Turkiye’s hosting of the summit underscores its ambition to serve as a regional mediator and voice for the Muslim world in the ongoing Gaza crisis. The country has repeatedly condemned Israeli military actions while supporting international proposals that prioritize humanitarian relief and Palestinian sovereignty.

Despite the diplomatic momentum, the path forward remains uncertain. With Israel’s continued operations, limited humanitarian access, and diverging interpretations of the ISF plan, the ceasefire risks unraveling.

Still, Turkiye and its allies appear determined to maintain pressure for a permanent political resolution. “We want to move toward a two-step, permanent peace solution,” Fidan reiterated. “This process must be built on justice, accountability, and respect for Palestinian rights.”