'Israel-Hamas truce should be used for lasting solution'

ANKARA

Israel-Hamas cease-fire should be used as an opportunity to find a lasting solution to the problem on the basis of two states, Turkey’s communications director said Friday.

"We strongly condemn the attack on the congregation at Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first qibla of Muslims with stun grenades and rubber bullets after the Friday prayer, despite the cease-fire that came into effect yesterday," Fahrettin Altun said in a statement.

Altun also recalled Israel's previous cease-fire violations in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2018 that caused the deaths of many innocent people.

He noted that while standing with the people of Palestine in their rightful cause, Turkey will also follow violations and sustainability of the cease-fire.

Turkey will continue to make efforts for a permanent solution in the occupied Palestinian territories, he said, and reiterated Turkey's call to the whole world to take action to put an end to Israel's persecution and occupation.

A cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, a Palestinian resistance group, took effect at 2 a.m. Friday (2300GMT Thursday).

The Egyptian-brokered truce came after 11 days of Israeli airstrikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip.

A total of 243 Palestinians, including 39 women and 66 children, have been killed by Israeli attacks on Gaza since May 10.

* Writing by Seda Sevencan in Istanbul.