Israel will keep its promise to Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made during Israeli PM Ehud Olmert's visit to Ankara last week, Gabby Levy, Israeli ambassador to Turkey said in his interview with Akhsham newspaper.
In order to keep its promise, Israel allowed to dispatch humanitarian aid to Gaza after air strikes, ambassador said. He said the air strikes were targeted at Hamas and added he is regretful about killing of civilians. Levy said Israel has not committed any war crimes and that Ehud Olmert's promise to Turkey will be kept. As to Erdogan's rejection telephone talks with Israeli officials, Levy said he hopes Turkey will understand Israel and telephone talks between officials of the two countries will be restored.
Israeli Air Forces struck the Gaza Strip at day time on Dec. 27. After six-month truce between Hamas and Israel expired on Dec. 19, Hamas fired rockets at Sderot and Ashkelon towns of Israel as a response to murder of four Palestinians.
The military offensive launched by Israel on Dec. 27 claimed lives of 310 people and injured 700. Women and children account for greater part of the dead and injured, Hamas press service in Gaza said to Trend . Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders have promised to revenge Israel for crimes committed in the Gaza Strip.
As a response to Israeli air strikes to the Gaza Strip, Hamas fired about 60 missiles to Sderot and Ashkelon. Israeli government announced emergency situation in these towns.