Turkey accuses Israel of ‘disproportionate’ use of force in Gaza

Turkey is accusing Israel of using “disproportionate force” against the Palestinians as clashes in Gaza near the Israeli border leave at least 12 people dead and dozens wounded.

“We strongly condemn Israel’s use of disproportionate force against Palestinians during the peaceful protests today (Friday) in Gaza,” the foreign ministry says in a statement.

The foreign ministry expresses “concerns” over the casualties.

“It is necessary that Israel rapidly ends use of force that would further raise the tensions in the region,” it says.

“We are inviting the international community to fulfil its responsibility to convince Israel to give up on its hostile attitude.”

Israeli officials hold the Hamas terror group responsible for any violence along the Gaza security fence during the protests and for the “consequences” of it. They have urged Palestinians not to allow themselves to be used as pawns by the terror group.

Turkey and Israel reached a deal in 2016 to end a six-year diplomatic crisis that erupted when Israeli commandos killed 10 Turkish activists traveling on an aid flotilla to break the siege of Gaza.