Netanyahu 'Rejects' The Role Of Turkish Troops Monitoring Gaza's Armistice

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled his rejection of any role Turkey's security forces in the Gaza Strip as part of a mission to monitor the US-backed ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Speaking in Jerusalem with US Vice President JD Vance who was visiting, Netanyahu said they had discussed a "next-to-go action plan" for Gaza, including who could guarantee security in the devastated territory of the war for two years.

Vanca, who previously said the US President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan was going better than expected, reaffirmed his optimism.

"I never said it was easy. However, I am optimistic that a ceasefire will survive and we can really build a better future across the Middle East," he said.

Once the ceasefire is reached, the mediators will focus on Trump's second phase of plans for Gaza, which demands the dismantling of Hamas weapons and predict the deployment of the International Stabilization Forces that will train and support the selection of Palestinian police.

In response to a question about the idea of the Turkish security forces in Gaza, Netanyahu said: "We will decide together on it. So I have a very strong opinion on that. Want to guess what their opinion is?," he said.

Vance said there would be a "constructive role" for Turkey as the ceasefire moves towards the next stage.

Once warm relations between Turkey, NATO members, and Israel hit their lowest point during the Gaza war.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticized Israeli attacks on the region and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Turkey, which helped convince Hamas to accept Trump's plans, said it would participate in international task forces to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire.

Turkey insists its armed forces can serve in military or civilian capacity as needed.

Two weeks ago, Erdogan said Turkey could play a role "on the pitch".

A senior official told Reuters Turkey would participate in a joint task force with Israel, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt formed to find the bodies of the hostages in Gaza whose location is unknown.