Turkish foreign minister discusses Mideast conflict with Omani, Pakistani counterparts

ISTANBUL

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday had phone calls with his Omani and Pakistani counterparts as the conflict between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas continues to claim lives, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

Fidan separately discussed developments in Israel and Palestine and Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip as well as the humanitarian situation with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi and Pakistani counterpart Jalil Abbas Jilani, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The fighting began on Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Since then the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza has risen to 2,750, including 750 children.

In Israel, 1,300 have been killed.