Turkish, Palestinian presidents discuss Israel-Palestine conflict

By Diyar Guldogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas on Monday discussed the recent tensions between Israel and Palestine, which on Saturday escalated into deadly conflict.

In a phone call, the leaders exchanged views on the latest developments in Israel and Palestine and the tension in the region, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said in a statement.

Erdogan told Abbas that Türkiye is making every effort to end the conflict in the region and ensure calm as soon as possible.

The Gaza-based resistance group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and growing settler violence.

In retaliation, the Israeli army launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 560, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Monday amid ongoing fighting. It also said the number of injured people surged to 2,900.

The Interior Ministry in Gaza said the Israeli army has "intensified its aggression" on Gaza with hundreds of raids.

The Israeli army said it had struck over 500 targets in overnight raids on Gaza, which they claimed were targets belonging to the Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups.

At least 800 Israelis have been killed and over 2,300 others wounded in the fighting, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.