Not a neutral player: Israel wary of Turkey’s ties to Hamas

Israel remains deeply skeptical of Turkey’s intentions in Gaza, raising concerns over Ankara’s longstanding political support for Hamas, reports The New York Times in an article published Monday.

Israeli officials worry that Turkey is more interested in helping Hamas survive than dismantling the group, despite its role in brokering the current ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. 

“If you want peace, if you want Hamas to disappear, then Turkey cannot be part of the process,” said Amichai Chikli, a minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. “Turkey supports Hamas. It’s a very simple equation.”

Ankara’s proximity to Hamas is precisely what allowed it to help mediate the truce, argue analysts. “Turkey is at the table not because of its ties to Israel, but because of its relationship with Hamas,” noted Sinan Ülgen, director of Istanbul-based think tank EDAM.

Israel’s distrust of Turkey is also rooted in past experiences. In 2010, the Mavi Marmara incident — in which Israeli forces killed nine Turkish activists aboard an aid flotilla heading to Gaza — caused a major diplomatic rupture. Israel accused the activists of aiding Hamas, while Turkey condemned the deadly raid.

Now, as discussions around postwar stabilization in Gaza intensify, Israel remains adamant that any international force deployed there must consist of countries it trusts. 

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a visit to Israel last week, echoed that sentiment, saying any stabilization force should include only nations “Israel is comfortable with.”

Gallia Lindenstrauss, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, warned that deploying Turkish troops near Israeli forces could be dangerous. 

“What happens if there’s an accidental clash?” she asked, adding that Israel doubts Ankara’s motives. “Is Turkey interested in enforcing the ceasefire, or using its role to shape the situation to its advantage?”

From Turkey’s perspective, analysts say, the motivations are both political and economic. 

Domestically, a majority of Turks support Ankara’s involvement in Gaza’s reconstruction. Internationally, the Turkish government sees it as a way to bolster President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s image as a global leader.

“Turkey also wants a stake in rebuilding Gaza — but only if someone else foots the bill,” said Ahmet Kasim Han, professor of international relations at Beykoz University in Istanbul. 

Han added that Ankara hopes Hamas will abandon its weapons to remain politically relevant, but doubted Turkey’s ability to persuade the group. “Neither Turkey nor anyone else can force Hamas to disarm,” he concluded.

As Gaza’s future is debated on the international stage, the question of Turkey’s involvement remains a point of contention — especially for Israel, which sees any role for Ankara as a potential risk rather than a solution.