Ankara: Turkey called on Israel on Tuesday to "immediately" halt its assault against the Gaza Strip, following the deadly air campaign against the Palestinian enclave.
"We are calling on Israel to immediately halt its attacks on Gaza," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
It urged the international community, especially the United Nations, to step in and warn the Jewish state to abandon its policy of "collective punishment".
At least 13 people were killed Tuesday and dozens wounded in strikes on Gaza in the most serious flare-up in and around the Palestinian territory since November 2012.
Israel said it is weighing all options in a bid to stamp out rocket fire from Gaza on southern Israel and destroy the militant group Hamas`s military infrastructure.
The Turkish foreign ministry called on all parties concerned to take lessons from the past and act with "restraint and common sense" to prevent an escalation of violence.
