In Jerusalem on Monday, December 16, 2025, US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider including Türkiye (Turkey) in an international stabilization force for Gaza. The discussions covered Gaza and Syria and occurred in the shadow of a planned US–Israel summit slated for later in December 2025. Barrack argued that Turkey’s leverage over Hamas and its endorsement of the ceasefire framework could make it well placed to press Hamas to disarm and to encourage other nations to participate in the mission.
The proposed move would see Turkey join an international stabilization force intended to reassure regional partners and sustain the Gaza ceasefire framework, even as Israeli officials express reservations about extending the coalition to include Ankara. The exchange in Jerusalem underscores the United States’ strategy of leveraging Turkish influence to mobilize broader international support for a durable ceasefire and a broader regional security effort.
Observers note that the idea hinges on gaining buy-in from key regional and international players ahead of the high-stakes US-Israel summit planned for late December. Turkey’s potential role comes amid broader US-Turkey discussions about Gaza, Syria, and the stability architecture in the region.
In Jerusalem, Barrack pressed Netanyahu to include Turkey in a Gaza stabilization force, arguing that Turkey’s leverage over Hamas could disarm the group and encourage other nations to join, as Washington seeks to sustain the ceasefire framework and coordinate a broader regional security effort before a major US–Israel summit.
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