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Northern Cyprus condemns Israeli airstrikes on Gaza

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus urges end to Israeli attacks and use of disproportionate force on Palestinians

Muhammet Ikbal Arslan  | 12.05.2021 - Update : 12.05.2021
Northern Cyprus condemns Israeli airstrikes on Gaza

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has condemned Wednesday the Israeli airstrikes that claimed many civilian lives, including children, in Gaza Strip.

"We strongly condemn the Israeli airstrikes that caused the death of many innocent people, including children, and the injury of hundreds of our Palestinian brothers and sisters, following its attacks on civilians worshiping in Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem," the country's Foreign Ministry said in a written statement.

It wished Allah's mercy on the deceased and speedy recovery to the injured.

The ministry urged an end to Israeli attacks and the use of disproportionate force in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and underlined that legitimate rights and interests of the Palestinian nation must be respected.

"We want to emphasize our belief that violence in the Middle East should be ended and reconciliation should be achieved through dialogue," it said.

Tensions have run high in East Jerusalem since last week as Israeli settlers have swarmed in after an Israeli court ordered the eviction of Palestinian families.

Israeli forces and settlers have repeatedly assaulted Palestinians who have turned up to express solidarity with the families facing eviction, with many also having been detained.

After Palestinian groups fired rockets in response to Israel’s violence in Jerusalem, Israel started an air offensive on the Gaza Strip on Monday evening.

At least 48 Palestinian civilians, including 14 children and three women, have been killed and 305 injured in Israeli airstrikes on the besieged Palestinian territory, according to the latest figures from the Palestinian Health Ministry.

*Contributions and writing by Sena Guler in Ankara

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