Iranian president phones Turkish counterpart on Gaza

"His excellency Abdullah Gul held a phone conversation with the Iranian President Ahmadinejad on Monday. Ahmadinejad conveyed his thoughts on the recent developments in Gaza to Gul," the Turkish Presidential Press Center said in a written statement.

"President Abdullah Gul reiterated his formerly declared opinions and stressed the importance of an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the priority Turkey attaches to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza," it added.

Israel unleashed on Saturday a massive air campaign against Hamas targets in retaliation for ongoing rocket fire from its Gaza Strip stronghold, one of the most densely populated places on earth.

At least 51 civilians are among the victims of the Israeli blitz on Hamas-run Gaza Strip that has so far killed more than 310 people, the U.N. said.