Egypt and Turkey coordinate on Gaza deal as Israel resists Turkish role

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed on Saturday the importance of ongoing coordination with Turkey in following up on the stages of the agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

In a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Abdelatty reviewed the results of the Sharm el-Sheikh summit and the agreement reached there to end the war in Gaza in accordance with US President Donald Trump’s plan.

Both ministers emphasised the need to uphold the ceasefire and maintain calm to achieve security and stability in the region, according to a statement by Egypt’s Foreign Ministry.

Abdelatty underlined the importance of fully implementing the agreement’s provisions to ensure a permanent ceasefire and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian, medical, and relief aid into Gaza.

He also noted the close coordination between Egypt and Turkey in monitoring the agreement’s progress, in cooperation with regional and international partners.

The two ministers discussed preparations for the international conference on early recovery, reconstruction, and development in Gaza, which is set to be held in Cairo later this month.

Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s hope for Turkey’s active participation and support for international efforts to rebuild the enclave and consolidate stability in the region.

Turkey has played a central role in mediating the ceasefire agreement, despite Israeli efforts to keep it out of the process throughout the two years of war in Gaza. The Hebrew-language news outlet Ynet reported last week that, at the initiative of Trump, Ankara became a key player in the talks that led to the signing of the ceasefire.

According to the report, Turkey exerted decisive pressure in favour of the deal, which saw President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sign the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement earlier this month alongside Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Ankara is also expected to participate in an international task force that will assist in locating the bodies of Israeli captives killed while being held in Gaza.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly opposed any Turkish role in Gaza. Asked last week about the possibility of Turkish forces joining post-war operations, he replied that he had "very strong opinions about that," adding that there would be "no Turkish involvement".

His remarks demonstrate the growing tension between Ankara and Tel Aviv, whose relations have sharply deteriorated since the Gaza war.

President Erdogan has repeatedly accused Israel of war crimes and called on the international community - particularly the United States - to impose sanctions and halt arms sales to Israel. Speaking to journalists on his return from a Gulf tour, Erdogan said it was "time for action, not just words", urging that "sufficient diplomatic pressure must be applied on Israel" to force it to abide by the ceasefire.

The renewed coordination between Egypt and Turkey marks a notable diplomatic alignment after years of strained relations.