As a guarantor of the cease-fire, Turkey is keen to play a role in Gaza’s future, seeing political and economic benefits. Israel is having none of it.

Emirati newspaper Al-Ain pointed out that recent actions taken by the Turkish government might indicate point to Hamas adharence to the ceasefire, while the Turks seek to gain influence in the Strip.

Arab and Muslim states that the US wants to be part of an international stabilisation force in Gaza are alarmed that they could be “trapped” into disarming Hamas by force, according to a draft United Nations resolution the US is working on.

For all of Erdogan’s hypocritical moralizing, preventing further loss of life is low on the Ankara government’s list of priorities. In fact, Turkey gaining a foothold in Gaza, be it diplomatic or even military, serves as a regional power play reminiscent of neo-Ottomanism.

Foreign ministers of some Muslim countries will meet in Istanbul on Monday to discuss the Gaza ceasefire and next steps there, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Friday, voicing concern over whether the ceasefire will continue.

The return came shortly after Israel confirmed it had identified the remains of an Israeli man who died in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack.