Saturday, 27 December 2008
Turkey "strongly" condemned on Saturday "the death of many Palestinians as result of Israel's attack on Gaza," urging Isarel to "immediately halt" its military operation.
"We strongly condemn the death of many Palestinians as result of Israel's attack on Gaza. We are calling for restraint and an immediate halt of the Israeli operation," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The statement also called for the lifting of the Israeli siege on Gaza in order to secure an uninterrupted flow of the humanitarian aid to the region.
"We are inviting the international community not to remain indifferent to this tragedy and extend a helping hand to Gaza," the statement said.
Sources said Turkish President Abdullah Gul was also closely monitoring the developments "with concern," adding that Gul warned Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during a meeting last Monday in Ankara that the situation in Gaza could escalate tension.
