Turkey condemns Israeli attacks on innocent civilians

Turkey on Monday condemned Israel's attacks against innocent civilians rallying in the occupied Palestinian lands.

At least 31 Palestinians, including journalist Yaser Murtaja, have been martyred by Israeli forces since March 30, when the peaceful demonstrations began, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

The Foreign Ministry in a statement called on the international community to take a common stance against Israel for its aggression, which disregards international law and targets journalists on duty despite all warnings.

Yaser Murtaja was shot in the abdomen by Israeli troops Friday while covering the "Great March of Return". He succumbed to his wounds Saturday, and his funeral was attended by hundreds of Palestinians.

The rallies are part of a six-week demonstration that will culminate on May 15, which will mark the 70th anniversary of Israel's establishment -- an event Palestinians refer to as the "Nakba" or "Catastrophe".

Demonstrators demand that Palestinian refugees be granted the "right of return" to their towns and villages in historical Palestine from which they were driven in 1948 to make way for the new state of Israel.