Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault

    ANKARA, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on Saturday expressed concerns about escalating tensions in the Gaza Strip as Israeli troops continued a broad offensive there.

    Speaking at a news conference at Ankara's Esenboga Airport before leaving for the Iranian capital Tehran to attend a meeting of Iraq's neighboring countries, Gul said, "We have been closely monitoring recent developments in the region as over 30 Palestinians have been killed. These developments jeopardize the peace process."

    Gul urged Israel to end the military operation as soon as possible, calling upon the Jewish state and the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table.

    "We hope that the Israeli military operation will come to an end as soon as possible and the parties will resume peace talks," he said.

    The top Turkish diplomat also slammed the Israeli killing of Palestinians during the offensive, urging the international community to intervene.

    "The killing of so many Palestinian people is horrifying. Recent developments also have some negative impacts on other geographies. Therefore, it should not be considered only a dispute between Israel and the Palestinians. We hope the international community will intervene without wasting any more time," he said.

    Tensions between the Palestinians and Israel have been raised as Israeli troops have expanded their broad military offensive in Gaza, launched on June 28, in a bid to free an Israeli soldier kidnapped by Palestinian militants and stop Palestinian militant rocket firing.

    Over 30 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier have been killed since the start of the Israeli military operation, the first major move in Gaza since Israel quit the coastal strip last summer after 38 years of occupation. Enditem