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Source: https://www.jpost.com/diplomatic-conference/article-879983
U.S. Envoy Pushes for Turkey's Inclusion in Gaza Security Mission
(Jerusalem Post) Amichai Stein - Israel has publicly opposed Turkish participation in the proposed multinational force for post-war Gaza, citing Ankara's close ties with Hamas. But at the Jerusalem Post conference in Washington on Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Trump's envoy to Syria Tom Barrack suggested the U.S. still sees a role for Turkey's military on the ground. Turkey's large, experienced ground force, along with its dialogue with multiple actors, "could help cool the temperature." He insisted Ankara harbors no aggressive intent toward Israel. Barrack also described Syria as fundamentally disinterested in aggression toward Israel, consumed instead by threats from ISIS, the remnants of foreign fighters, and Iranian proxies. He revealed that with help from Turkish intelligence, the U.S. and Syria have jointly taken out nine Hizbullah cells and several ISIS cells in recent weeks. "Every day, Syria is taking out ISIS and IRGC assets," he said. He believes that a return to a variation of the 1974 disengagement structure between Syria and Israel, updated with modern mechanisms, is entirely feasible. Israel, he noted, is seeking a withdrawal model similar to agreements with Egypt: zones of limited weaponry, airspace arrangements, and verifiable layers of demilitarization. "After October 7, Israel doesn't trust anyone," Barrack said. "That's why we've offered to serve as a peacekeeping force. Verification replaces trust."