Israeli strikes on a Hamas-occupied building in Gaza also hit the offices of Turkey’s state news agency, Deutsche Welle English service reported on Sunday, adding that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has strongly denounced the attack, which could stoke tensions between Israel and Turkey.
An Israeli airstrike hit a building hosting the Gaza office of Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency, Turkey’s foreign minister said Saturday, calling it a “new example of Israel’s unrestrained aggression.”
Israeli warplanes carried out dozens of retaliatory airstrikes across the Gaza Strip in response to a barrage of rockets fired from Palestinian militants as hostilities flared into a second day.
Israel said the six-floor commercial and residential building included Hamas military intelligence and security offices.
Turkey’s state-run media reported that the building was hit by at least five Israeli rockets after warning shots were fired. No deaths or injuries were reported.
Turkish officials condemned the attack, which is likely to strain already tense relations with Israel.
Turkish President Erdoğan was highly critical of the bombing.
“We strongly condemn Israel’s attack against the Anadolu agency’s office in Gaza,” Erdoğan wrote on Twitter.
Turkey’s presidential aide İbrahim Kalın accused Israel of striking Anadolu to “cover up its new crimes.”
“Targeting of Anadolu Agency Gaza office is new example of Israel’s unrestrained aggression,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu tweeted.
“Israeli violence against innocent people without distinction is a crime against humanity. Those who encourage Israel are also guilty.” “We will keep defending the Palestinian cause, even if alone,” he added.