Trump commends Erdogan for aiding in the Gaza ceasefire deal

Ceasefire Agreement in Gaza: Trump’s Praise for Erdogan

During a recent event in Sharm el-Sheikh, President Donald Trump expressed his approval of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and notably credited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his instrumental role in achieving this outcome.

Trump remarked, “We’ve been friends for a long time. I don’t quite grasp why I lean toward tough individuals rather than those who are just soft-spoken and easy to get along with.” He continued, “This guy from Turkey is one of the most influential figures globally…He’s tough, but he’s my friend.”

In the lead-up to the ceasefire, Erdoğan had openly defended Hamas against U.S. policies and critiqued Israeli actions in Gaza. Interestingly, he did not engage in a significant diplomatic effort to end the conflict.

Trump Considers Erdogan’s Influence on Putin

In his remarks, Trump suggested that Erdoğan could potentially sway President Putin to cease hostilities, asserting that Erdoğan could halt oil sales if he chose to.

A former Israeli intelligence official highlighted the changes that led to Erdoğan’s resurgence on the global stage, referencing a memorable moment when he sat next to Trump at the United Nations. “What triggered this change in status two years later?” they pondered.

Following Erdoğan’s public display of disapproval towards Israel by refusing to land in Egypt initially—due to the possibility of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attending—he only agreed when it was confirmed that no Israeli representatives would be there. Sinan Sidi, from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, described this as typical Erdoğan theatrics, noting it enhanced Erdoğan’s image domestically and among certain Muslim communities.

Sidi also mentioned Erdoğan’s past statements on Fox News, where he reframed Hamas as a resistance group rather than labeling it as terrorist, and he did so without facing repercussions, which is quite telling.

Turkey’s Ambitious Plans for Gaza

Sidi emphasized that Erdoğan’s aspirations extend beyond diplomacy. He hinted at Turkish construction firms wanting to assist in Gaza’s reconstruction and the military potentially taking on enforcement roles, thus embedding Turkey more deeply into the regional framework.

Moreover, the dynamics surrounding Turkey’s ambitions in Gaza seem intricately connected to broader strategies, including Trump’s requests regarding the F-35 program and addressing Turkey’s energy reliance on Russia.

With the growing Turkish influence in Gaza, as outlined by Abner Golov of the Mind Israel think tank, he noted that the focus is shifting towards preventing Iranian expansion while acknowledging Turkey and Qatar’s rising prominence in this new landscape.

The Evolving Role of Turkey

Golov pointed out that the recent U.S. strategies to focus on Saudi Arabia and the UAE have diminished, thus widening the advantage for Turkey and Qatar in this context. He underscored how important it is for Israel and the U.S. to bolster ties with Gulf cooperation to counterbalance Turkish influence.

Many questions remain on whether Israel will accept Turkish troops in Gaza, as this could signal a shift in how Hamas is perceived. While Erdoğan is currently in the spotlight, the ongoing situation will ultimately dictate whether Turkey expands its power or if Israel and Washington succeed in curbing its influence.