Turkey strongly condemns Israeli attack on Anadolu Agency office in Gaza Strip

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan strongly condemned an Israeli attack on Anadolu Agency office in the Gaza Strip on May 4.

“We strongly condemn Israel’s attack against Anadolu Agency’s office in Gaza,” Erdoğan said on twitter and added: “Turkey and Anadolu Agency will continue to tell the world about Israeli terrorism and atrocities in Gaza and other parts of Palestine despite such attacks.”

Israeli warplanes hit the building with at least 5 rockets after warning shots, Anadolu Agency’s correspondent in Jerusalem reported.
No injuries or death were reported.

The strikes occurred following reports that two Israeli soldiers had been injured by gunfire near the Gaza-Israel buffer zone on May 3.

‘Attempt to remove witnesses’

“Israel’s hitting Anadolu Agency’s office [in Gaza] is an attempt to get rid of the witnesses, a preparation of massacres in Gaza,” Palestinian government said in a statement.

“The targeting of the Anadolu Agency office is the attempt to remove witnesses and prepare for the massacres of Israel against Gaza,” Ibrahim Melhem, spokesman for the Palestinian government told Anadolu Agency.

“Targeting of @AnadoluAgency #Gaza office is new example of Israel’s unrestrained aggression,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Twitter and added: “#Israeli violence against innocent people w/out distinction is a crime against humanity. Those who encourage Israel are also guilty.

“Will keep defending #Palestinian cause, even if alone.”

“We strongly condemn Israeli attack on Anadolu Agency office in Gaza that intends to cover up its new crimes,” Turkey’s Presidential aide İbrahim Kalın said on Twitter.

“We condemn Israel in the strongest possible terms for targeting a building in the West Bank, in which the @anadoluagency office was located,” Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun also said on Twitter.

“We urge all governments that claim to defend press freedom, including @USEmbassyTurkey, to join us in condemning the Israeli government,” Altun added.

Vice President Fuat Oktay also condemned the attack.

“Israel’s reckless attacks against civilians are unacceptable,” Oktay said in a Twitter post.

“I wish quick recovery for Anadolu Agency family which broadcasts the voice of the oppressed Palestinian people to the world,” Oktay added.

Turkish Interior Minister also wished Anadolu Agency for quick recovery and said thatIsraeli attack on Anadolu Agency office in Gaza Strip shows how important is Turkey’s standing up for oppressed people and transferring what Israel does to the world.

“We strongly condemn indiscriminate attacks by Israel in Gaza, which have been going on since yesterday, killing or injuring many innocent persons and also targeting Anadolu Agency’s Office,” Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“We call on the international community to take swift action to reduce the tension in the region, which has escalated due to Israel’s disproportionate acts,” it added.