Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. Secretary of State Rubio in a phone call that Israel firmly opposes the inclusion of Qatar and Turkey in a proposed Gaza "peace committee," expressing surprise at a U.S. announcement about the committee's composition. Israel's prime minister's office said earlier that Netanyahu had instructed Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to formally register the objection with Washington.
Speaking in parliament, Netanyahu went further: he declared that neither Turkish nor Qatari forces would be permitted to enter the Gaza Strip, and reiterated that the second phase of any ceasefire deal must see Hamas disarmed and Gaza demilitarized. His remarks reflect long-standing Israeli unease with both countries, which Jerusalem accuses of political support for Hamas.
Qatar and Turkey have been active regional interlocutors in Gaza affairs for years — mediating hostage releases, channelling humanitarian aid, and hosting Palestinian political figures — which is why some international actors view their participation in post-conflict arrangements as a way to broaden legitimacy and facilitate reconstruction. Israel's categorical rejection highlights a deeper diplomatic fault line: Washington appears to be seeking a multilateral framework for Gaza that includes regional players Israel regards as hostile or complicit with militants.
The dispute matters because the composition of any committee tasked with overseeing ceasefire implementation, reconstruction or security arrangements will determine who has leverage in Gaza after active hostilities end. A stalemate over participants risks delaying reconstruction, complicating mechanisms for disarmament and accountability, and straining the Israel–U.S. relationship as Washington balances its desire for a durable settlement with Jerusalem's security red lines.