Erdogan: We aim to create climate where Israelis, Palestinians live side by side in peace

Israel must immediately halt its military operation against Hamas militants and agree to a ceasefire, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says on a visit to Germany.

“President Erdogan stated that Israel’s attacks on Palestinian lands must end and that the reaction from the whole world against human rights violations is important,” the Turkish presidency says in a statement after Erdogan met German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

“A ceasefire should be established immediately,” the statement says.

Without mentioning Hamas, Erdogan tweets that Turkey expressed its disaproval of attacks targeting civilians from the outset of the war.

“The events have once again shown that a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders is now inevitable,” he says.

“Our aim is to establish a climate where peace and security prevail, where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace.”

“I hope that my visit will lead to solidarity between our countries and the beginning of a new process,” Erdogan adds.