Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that the United States and other countries must do more to force Israel to respect the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
He emphasized that they should even consider imposing sanctions or halting arms sales to Israel if necessary.
Turkey — a NATO member and one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s war in Gaza — has joined ceasefire talks as a mediator after previously being involved only indirectly.
Its expanded role follows a meeting last month between Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
“As Turkey, we are doing everything we can to ensure a ceasefire. Hamas is respecting the ceasefire and has openly expressed its commitment to it. Meanwhile, Israel continues to violate the ceasefire,” Erdogan told reporters, as reported by RFE/RL.
“The international community, especially the United States, must do more to ensure that Israel fully complies with the ceasefire and the agreement,” he added, according to a statement from his office on Friday.
“Israel must be compelled to keep its promises through sanctions and the suspension of arms sales,” he stressed.
Ankara has stated that it will join a task force overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire and that its armed forces could serve in either military or civilian capacities, depending on the needs.
Turkey has also expressed readiness to assist in the reconstruction of the enclave.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested on Wednesday that Israel opposes any role for Turkish forces in Gaza.
When asked about Netanyahu’s remarks, Erdogan refrained from his usual sharp criticism of the Israeli leader and appeared to tone down his earlier commitment to an active on-ground role in Gaza, saying that discussions on the matter are still ongoing.
“The talks on the task force to operate in Gaza are still continuing. Its modalities are not yet clear. Since this is a multidimensional issue, comprehensive negotiations are taking place. We are ready to offer Gaza any form of assistance in this regard,” he said.
Relations between the two former allies, Israel and Turkey, have deteriorated sharply during the Gaza war, with Ankara accusing Netanyahu’s government of committing genocide—an accusation that Israel has repeatedly denied.
