KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Turkish and Palestinian officials have strongly condemned the attack by Israeli warplanes on Turkey’s state-run news agency Anadolu Agency (AA) on May 4, AA quoted its correspondent in Jerusalem.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on his official Twitter account: “Targeting of @AnadoluAgency #Gaza office is a new example of Israel’s unrestrained aggression.
“#Israeli violence against innocent people without distinction is a crime against humanity. Those who encourage Israel are also guilty. Will keep defending #Palestinian cause, even if alone.”
Turkish Presidency’s Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, meanwhile, said in a post on his Twitter page: “We condemn Israel in the strongest possible terms for targeting a building in the West Bank, in which the @anadoluagency office was located.
“We urge all governments that claim to defend press freedom, including @USEmbassyTurkey, to join us in condemning the Israeli government,” Altun added on Twitter.
On the same note, the Palestinian government also expressed the same stand.
“Israel’s hitting Anadolu Agency’s office (in Gaza) is an attempt to get rid of the witnesses, preparation of massacres in Gaza,” the Palestinian government said in a statement.
Turkish Technology and Industry Minister Mustafa Varank was also reported to have given a phone call to AA’s Director General Senol Kazanci and wished a quick recovery for the agency’s operation.
According to international reports, Israeli warplanes hit the building with at least five rockets after warning shots, with no injuries or death reported.
The strikes occurred following reports that two Israeli soldiers had been injured by gunfire near the Gaza-Israel buffer zone on May 3.
A total of 19 Palestinians were killed when Israeli warplanes struck Hamas’ positions in the blockaded Gaza strip.
— NNN-BERNAMA