Turkish Nationals Leaving Gaza Arrive İn Istanbul

A group of people including Turkish nationals who left Gaza amid Israel's continuous military attacks have arrived in Istanbul following efforts by Turkish Foreign Ministry.



A statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said 23 people including Turkish citizens had crossed into Jordan Monday night and arrived in Istanbul on Tuesday.



The statement said Turkish nationals who wanted to leave Gaza should contact Turkey's embassy in Tel Aviv or its consulate in Jerusalem.



The Palestinian death toll from Israel's ongoing offensive against the Gaza Strip has risen to 612 following fresh Israeli attacks on the blockaded enclave on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.



Since July 7, Israel has pounded the coastal enclave with fierce air and naval bombardments with the stated aim of halting Palestinian rocket fire.



On Thursday night, Israel stepped up its offensive to include ground operations, sending thousands of troops into the embattled Palestinian territory.



According to official Israeli figures, 28 Israeli troops have since been killed in clashes with Palestinian resistance fighters.



Israel's military operation, dubbed "Operation Protective Edge," is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the densely-populated Gaza Strip – which is home to some 1.8 million Palestinians – within the last six years.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Ankara