Türkiye’s main expectation from a planned International Stabilisation Force in Gaza is for it to provide guarantees that the fragile ceasefire will last, its Defence Ministry said on Thursday.
Nato member Türkiye has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s devastating two-year assault on Gaza, calling it a genocide. It has emerged as a critical player and mediator in ceasefire efforts, voicing a desire to join the stabilisation force despite Israel’s repeated objections.
At a briefing in Ankara, the ministry also said Türkiye believed the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) must ensure unhindered humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza in line with international law.
Meanwhile, at least four people have been killed in two violent incidents in the southern Gaza Strip despite the ceasefire that has been in place there for a month.
The Israeli military reported on Wednesday that troops had been deployed in the Rafah area to destroy underground infrastructure.
In the Israeli-controlled area east of the so-called “yellow line,” the soldiers identified what the military described as “four fighters.” They then opened fire.
“Following the identification, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) struck and eliminated three of the armed terrorists,” the IDF said in a statement.
“IDF troops in the Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat,” it added.
The army had withdrawn behind the yellow line as part of the agreed ceasefire, but Israeli troops continue to control more than half of the Gaza Strip.
The Jerusalem Post newspaper wrote that the four men were part of a group of armed Palestinians, estimated to number around 200, who were holed up in a tunnel in the Rafah area.
According to media reports, the Hamas members want to obtain safe passage to the western part of the Gaza Strip in indirect negotiations with Israel.
Shortly afterwards, it was announced that a “fighter” who had crossed the yellow line and approached Israeli troops in an incident in Khan Yunis was killed.
There have been several violent incidents since the ceasefire began on October 10, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
Several soldiers have been killed in attacks on Israeli units. Israel, for its part, continues to attack targets in the coastal strip. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, 245 Palestinians have been killed during the ceasefire. – Agencies
