Hamas extols Turkey’s swift response to Gaza massacre

Hamas on Tuesday expressed its appreciation for Turkey's rapid response to Monday's massacre committed by Israeli troops against peaceful Palestinian protesters on the Gaza Strip's eastern border.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency during a visit to Mauritania, where he will take part in a pro-Palestine conference, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri praised the support of the Turkish government and people for the Palestinian cause.

"The Turkish people hit the streets immediately after Monday's massacre; this was very encouraging," he said.

According to Abu Zuhri, Turkey's role is of especial importance as the country currently holds the rotating presidency of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Israel's ambassador to Ankara left Turkey on Wednesday -- at the latter's request -- shortly after the deadly violence on the Gaza-Israel border.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ announced Monday that the Turkish government had declared three days of mourning in solidarity with Gaza's martyrs.

"We appreciate the Turkish role and hope to strengthen this interaction with the provision of needed humanitarian relief to Gaza, which continues to remain under siege," Abu Zuhri said.

He also called for opening hospitals to help treat Gaza's injured, urging Turkish organizations to provide support to struggling Gazan families.

On Monday, at least 62 Palestinian demonstrators were martyred -- and hundreds more injured -- by Israeli troops deployed along the other side of the border.

Monday's demonstration had coincided with Israel's 70th anniversary -- an event Palestinians refer to as "The Catastrophe" -- and the relocation of Washington's Israel embassy to Jerusalem, which also took place Monday.

Since the Gaza rallies began on Mar. 30, more than 100 Palestinian demonstrators have been martyred by cross-border Israeli army gunfire.

Last week, the Israeli government said the ongoing border protests constituted a "state of war" in which international humanitarian law did not apply.