Copyright nytimes
Turkey has emerged as a key actor in solidifying the initial cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and hopes to leverage its powerful military, its experienced construction firms and its relationship with Hamas to play a role in the territory’s future. But Israel is staunchly opposed. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan helped press Hamas to accept the cease-fire, making Turkey a key guarantor. But throughout the war, he has harshly criticized Israel and stood by Hamas, which Turkey does not consider a terrorist organization as Israel and other countries do. As the war escalated, Mr. Erdogan cut off diplomatic relations and trade with Israel. He routinely calls the war a genocide and has compared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to Adolf Hitler. During Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Israel this week, reporters asked Mr. Netanyahu whether he would allow Turkish security personnel to play a role in postwar Gaza. “I have very strong opinions on that,” he responded. “You want to guess what they are?”
