The Doha meeting and a stabilization force without Turkey

A meeting was held in Doha, the capital of Qatar, by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) to establish an International Stabilization Force in Gaza. While 45 countries attended the meeting, the fact that Turkey was not invited presents a striking picture, especially when considering Ankara's relations with the US and Qatar. According to Israeli media, the primary reason for Turkey not being invited is Israel's explicit objection to such a move.

Israel's desire to exclude Turkey from such a structure may be seen as understandable from the perspective of its own security and interests. However, the US's acceptance of this objection raises the question of how sincere its rhetoric of "good relations" with Turkey truly is. The exclusion of Turkey, a NATO ally, from such significant security planning once again calls into question the extent to which the US views Turkey as a strategic partner in regional crises.

WHY WAS TURKEY LEFT OUT?

The purpose of the meeting in Doha was to determine the military, weaponry, and financial capacities of the states that would participate in the International Stabilization Force. It is no coincidence that the meeting was held in Qatar. Qatar's role as a mediator in negotiations with Hamas and its hosting of decisions regarding the future of Gaza are reflections of the strategic relationship between the US and Qatar.

Within this general framework, Turkey's exclusion from the meeting is directly related to Israel's security perceptions. Israel views Turkey as an actor close to Hamas and is concerned about the Turkish military presence becoming a permanent element in Gaza. For this reason, it opposes Turkey's inclusion in the international force. Although the US views Turkey more as an actor capable of providing logistical support, it chose not to challenge Israel's veto.

This meeting is also significant in terms of demonstrating how functional the planned International Stabilization Force in Gaza might be. Looking at the details of the meeting, it is already observed that serious problems are emerging. Aside from Israel's veto of Turkey's participation, the fact that countries like Indonesia and Pakistan, which attended the meeting and announced their readiness to provide military support, do not recognize Israel, raises the question of how coordination with Israel will be achieved in Gaza.

The reality on the ground is even more striking. It is clearly seen from Israel's recent military actions that it still does not display a clear and conciliatory stance regarding a ceasefire in Gaza. Concerns that the ceasefire could be broken and that clashes could resume persist. The reservations felt by participating states regarding sending troops to this high-risk region and the conflicting interests of the parties in the area make the future of the International Stabilization Force even more uncertain.

When the plans previously announced by US President Donald Trump regarding Gaza are added to this picture, it has led to the international force being evaluated as part of the US's strategy to realize these plans. Indeed, it is evident that the primary decision-maker in this process is the US. While actions are taken and programs are made for Israel's security, the extent to which the needs of the Palestinians are being addressed has also become a subject of debate.

The fact that Israel continues its relations with Qatar, which it recently attacked, shows that the balances in the region are shaped by the understanding that "it happens if the US wants it," and states can only act within the boundaries set by the US.

In conclusion, the exclusion of Turkey—one of the countries engaged in diplomatic initiatives during the ceasefire process in Gaza—from the meeting aimed at establishing the International Stabilization Force casts a shadow over the legitimacy of the initiative in question.