Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri has expressed his Movement’s appreciation to Turkey’s rapid reaction following Monday’s massacre that was committed by Israeli soldiers on the eastern border of Gaza.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency during a visit to Mauritania where he was invited to take part in a pro-Palestine conference Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri praised the support of the Turkish government and people for the Palestinian cause.
“The Turkish people took to the streets immediately after Monday’s massacre. This was very encouraging” he said.
Abu Zuhri said that Turkey’s role has special importance as the country currently holds the rotating presidency of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Israel’s ambassador to Ankara left Turkey on Wednesday at the latter’s request shortly after the deadly violence by the Israeli army on the Gaza-Israel border.
Last Monday the Turkish government had declared three days of mourning in solidarity with Gaza’s martyrs.
“We appreciate the Turkish role and hope to strengthen this interaction by providing Gaza with needed humanitarian relief” Abu Zuhri said.
He also called for opening hospitals to help treat Gaza’s injured urging Turkish organizations to provide support to struggling Gazan families.
On Monday at least 62 Palestinian protesters were shot dead and hundreds more injured by Israeli troops deployed along the other side of the border.
Monday’s demonstration had coincided with the 70th anniversary of the occupation of Palestine (Palestinian Nakba) and the relocation of the US embassy to Occupied Jerusalem which also took place Monday.
Since the Gaza rallies began on 30 March more than 100 Palestinian demonstrators have been killed by cross-border Israeli gunfire.
