US official praises Türkiye’s ‘integral role’ in Gaza ceasefire

A senior United States official has publicly credited Türkiye with a crucial contribution to securing the current ceasefire in Gaza. The acknowledgment came during a background briefing as the US announced the transition to the second phase of its plan for the Palestinian territory.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official stated, “Türkiye has played a very integral role in getting to this ceasefire, and President Trump is very grateful to that.” The official specifically named Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and intelligence director İbrahim Kalın, saying they had been “very intimately involved” and had “done an incredible job really working with us.”

Beyond the mediation efforts, the official revealed a broader US diplomatic objective, noting the administration’s desire to see “Türkiye and Israel start to rebuild their relationship. And that’s something that we believe can happen.” This comment highlights Washington’s view of Ankara as an indispensable regional partner whose full engagement, including normalized ties with Israel, is key to long-term stability.

The praise was offered alongside the announcement by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff that the ceasefire plan is entering its second phase. This next stage focuses on establishing a transitional technocratic administration in Gaza, launching reconstruction, and implementing the “full demilitarization” of the territory, which includes disarming “all unauthorized personnel.” Witkoff warned Hamas of “serious consequences” for non-compliance. For Türkiye, this recognition affirms its strategic diplomatic weight and its ability to influence critical outcomes in the Middle East, even amid complex alliances.