JERUSALEM - Israel has asked for Turkey's support to find an Israeli soldier who was kidnapped by Palestinian militants.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni called Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and asked him to support their efforts to find the abducted soldier.
Gul telephoned Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, and expressed his wish that the Israeli soldier would be released before tension has escalated further in the region.
In response, Haniyeh said that although his government aimed at preserving stability and trying to resolve problems through diplomatic channels, Israel's threats to occupy Gaza have hardened the situation in the region.
Haniyeh also told Gul that the region has faced with the risk of a third intifada since Israel refused to listen to their reasons.
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, 20, was kidnapped by Palestinian militants who infiltrated Israel by a tunnel on Sunday. He is believed to have been kept in southern Gaza Strip.