Tensions between Israel and Turkey are escalating amid conflicting plans for Gaza’s reconstruction and growing strategic friction in Syria—though both nations remain part of a U.S.-led diplomatic framework established after the ceasefire with Hamas.
Israel has explicitly stated it will not permit Turkish military forces to operate within Gaza, regarding Ankara as a destabilizing actor even as Turkey publicly positions itself as a reconstruction partner. Turkish sources told Digital that Ankara does not aim to deploy troops in Gaza, instead focusing on humanitarian aid, infrastructure projects, and political influence.
Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, stated that Israel considers a strategic threat rather than a neutral actor.
“From Israel’s perspective, Turkey is the arsonist acting like the firefighter in Gaza,” Diker told Digital. “If Turkey is allowed to enter Gaza with several thousand armed personnel, you can rest assured this Muslim Brotherhood-aligned country will destabilize Gaza and dismantle the very 20-point plan President Trump has staked so much on.”
Diker noted Erdogan’s ambitions extend beyond Gaza, pointing to Turkey’s military presence in northwestern Syria and what he described as Ankara’s long-standing role enabling radical Islamist groups inside the country.
In on Monday, during his press conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu, he repeatedly praised Erdogan and downplayed concerns about a potential Israel-Turkey confrontation.
“I know President Erdogan very well… he’s a very good friend of mine,” Trump said. “Bibi respects him… They won’t have a problem. Nothing will happen.” Netanyahu smiled and did not comment.
At the same time, Trump publicly aligned himself with Israeli Prime Minister on Gaza’s future, issuing his strongest statement yet that Hamas must disarm.
“They reached an agreement that they would disarm,” Trump said. “If they fail to do so, those same countries will go and wipe out Hamas.”
According to Diker, the president is intentionally managing tensions with Ankara by keeping Erdogan within the diplomatic framework rather than confronting him publicly.
“President Trump is extremely skilled at keeping adversaries close, alongside allies,” Diker said. “That’s why he keeps saying he likes Erdogan. He wants to keep Erdogan in the fold. He wants to keep him close.”
Diker stated in the region and believes he can unite Arab and Muslim states when it serves U.S. and Israeli interests, citing coordination during the first phase of the hostage deal.
Diker noted Netanyahu is now navigating a narrow path, aiming not to undermine the framework Trump has built while ensuring Israel’s security red lines are maintained.
“Israel will not allow . It’s not going to happen,” Diker said, adding that Israel may still be forced into limited compromises to preserve Trump’s broader support—particularly on Iran.
Beyond Gaza, Israel views Turkey’s role in Syria as a growing point of friction. Ankara maintains influence across large swaths of northern Syria, while Israel has continued air operations targeting Iranian targets.
Sinan Ciddi, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, that Turkey considers Israel-aligned regional cooperation a direct challenge to its ambitions.
Ciddi cited a and Cyprus in Jerusalem as a flashpoint, arguing it signals resistance to Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine and broader maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Following the summit, pro-Erdogan media outlets described Israel as a major threat, while Turkey increased military activity that alarmed U.S. allies—including airspace violations near Greece and reported efforts to expand radar coverage in Syria that could hinder Israeli operations against Iran.
Diker said Israel’s recognition of Somaliland adds another layer to the rivalry, particularly in the . “The Turks are operating in Somalia. They are also working to control and influence what happens in the Red Sea region,” Diker said. “Which is why Somaliland’s development is extremely important.”
He contended that the move gives Israel a strategic foothold along a vital maritime corridor.
“Israel then has a strategic base, a forward base in Somaliland on the Red Sea,” Diker said. “Extremely important, because it checkmates Turkey.”
Diker noted the move was viewed in Ankara as a direct challenge to Turkish ambitions in the Horn of Africa, adding that the Trump administration had “expressed its understanding” of Israel’s decision.
Despite Erdogan’s harsh rhetoric toward Israel and vocal support for the Palestinian cause, Turkish diplomatic sources say Ankara is acting pragmatically. While Turkey sees financial and political opportunities in Gaza’s reconstruction, those sources note Erdogan is aware there is little domestic appetite for sending Turkish troops into the enclave.
That gap between rhetoric and policy, analysts say, is likely to persist. As Diker put it, Trump is trying to keep the diplomatic structure intact while Israel works to contain what it sees as Turkey’s expanding regional footprint. “Trump does not want to topple the apple cart,” Diker said. “He wants to try to keep everyone together so that they can move to stage two of the 20-point plan in Gaza.”