During press conference held in Ankara on Dec. 29, Foreign Minister of Egypt Ahmad Abul Gheit condemned Israel's bombing of the Gaza Strip and urged to stop military offensive immediately, Turkish TRT2 TV channel reported.
"Civilian population suffered from offensive launched by Israel to the Gaza Strip. It must be ended as soon as possible," Ahmad Abul Gheit said.
Gaza is a very important strategic region for Egypt, he said. Egypt achieved truce between Israel and Hamas and also between Hamas and Fatah. However, resuming military operations after truce expired is a disappointing factor," Egyptian foreign minister said.
Egypt demanded Israel not to begin military operations, Abul Gheit said.
"Unfortunately, military operations were launched in Gaza and the Strip faces threat of human catastrophe," he noted.
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.