Merve Berker
22 October 2023•Update: 22 October 2023
ANKARA
Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke over the phone with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly on the humanitarian situation in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict between Palestinian group Hamas and the Israeli army, diplomatic sources said on Sunday.
Fidan and Joly also discussed the latest developments about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the region, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
At least 4,651 Palestinians, including 1,873 children and 1,023 women have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza.
