Istanbul, 03 Nov. 2025 (Anadolu)

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has declared that any potential Turkish participation in an international stabilization force for Gaza is entirely dependent on the mandate defined by a forthcoming UN Security Council resolution. The announcement came during a press conference in Istanbul, where Fidan hosted a meeting of foreign ministers from key Muslim nations, including Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, with representatives from Qatar and the UAE also in attendance.

Fidan revealed a unified position among the consulted countries, stating, “What the countries we’ve spoken with have said is this: they will decide whether or not to send troops based on the content of the definition in the resolution.” He emphasized that the critical issue for all nations is the establishment of a force whose legitimacy and authority are clearly framed by the UN. “I believe it would be difficult for them to send troops if the mandate conflicts with their own principles and policies,” he added, underscoring that the specific powers granted to the force would be the primary deciding factor.

While affirming that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks “clearly show” Türkiye’s readiness to contribute to peace, Fidan stressed the equal importance of the final diplomatic framework. He described the process as “sensitive,” requiring extreme caution to ensure that steps taken to resolve the immediate crisis do not create a structural basis for future problems. “We are paying close attention to this,” Fidan noted.

On the politically charged issue of post-war governance, the Foreign Minister outlined a fundamental consensus among the partner countries and the Palestinians, which stands in direct opposition to the views of Israel and other influential international actors. “Our principle is that Palestinians should govern themselves, and the Palestinians should ensure their own security,” Fidan stated, adding that the international community should provide diplomatic and economic support for this goal. He confirmed that Hamas is prepared to transfer its administrative authority to a Palestinian-led committee.

Fidan firmly anchored any future plan in the internationally recognized two-state solution, based on the 1967 borders. He warned that the current situation must not be used to alter this long-standing definition of the Palestinian issue. As immediate priorities, he cited the need to make the ceasefire permanent, ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid, and begin the critical task of reconstruction. In this rebuilding phase, he cautioned against the emergence of a “new tutelage system,” a concern he said is shared by many countries.

While acknowledging the challenges in fully implementing existing agreements, Fidan expressed that recent diplomatic meetings have generated worldwide support for a new process. He concluded by calling for patience and determined international coordination to prevent any actions from sabotaging the fragile ceasefire or the path toward a just and lasting solution.

On the sidelines of a Gaza-focused ministerial meeting in Istanbul, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Both officials expressed satisfaction with growing bilateral ties and committed to deepening cooperation in political, economic, and defence areas. They also agreed to maintain close coordination on achieving sustainable peace in Gaza and other regional issues.