Erdoğan to Herzog: Acting with effort to restore calm

Against the backdrop of the escalation in Israel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog this evening. In their conversation, the Turkish President conveyed his condolences to Israel for what he referred to as "the massacre that took place on the holiday." Erdogan also reiterated his commitment to restoring stability in the region and working towards peace in the area.

In response, Herzog thanked the President of Turkey for the condolences and emphasized that the State of Israel will protect its citizens and do everything possible to bring back the captives held in the Gaza Strip.

Earlier, Herzog addressed world leaders in a message: "Hamas, which amplifies the crimes of ISIS, condemn its actions. Since the Holocaust, so many Jews have not been killed in one day." He also said, "I call upon all nations around the world: First, clearly and vocally condemn the actions of Hamas. Just as you condemned the heinous and incomprehensible acts of ISIS, because today, they are one and the same."