Turkey condemns attacks on Gaza, urges Israel to halt operations

"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.

Israel's choosing this way was a blow to peace, Turkish Prime Minister  Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday after massive and deadly Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Erdogan, whose country mediated indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria, said he was thinking of calling Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert earlier, but now he decided not to call him due to the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

"The attack was also disrespect for us. Turkey is a democratic and secular country and social state of law. We have been exerting great efforts to restore peace," he was quoted by Anatolian Agency as telling reporters.

Erdogan said the United Nations should do what is necessary on this matter.

Sources told Anatolian Agency that Turkish President Abdullah Gul was also closely monitoring the developments "with concern," adding that Gul warned Olmert during a meeting last Monday in Ankara that the situation in Gaza could escalate tension.