ANKARA - Turkey condemned killing of civilians including children in Israel's military action against several refugee camps in Gaza Strip in the weekend.
Issuing a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Turkey had earlier stressed that Israel should be very careful about safety of civilians in its fight against terrorism.
''We regret and condemn killing of civilians including children in military operations that Israel staged against several refugee camps in the Gaza Strip in the weekend,'' it said.
Turkey which also condemned terrorist acts against Israeli civilians had been stressing that Israel should be very careful about safety of civilians in its fight against terrorism and that excessive and unproportional use of force escalated violence.
''With this respect, we reiterate that the sides should return to the negotiating table as soon as possible for lasting peace and there is not any alternative except resuming dialogue, particularly the joint security arrangements,'' it said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul had closely followed the developments while he was paying a visit to central province of Kayseri in the weekend, sources said.
Israeli soldiers raided several refugee camps in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing 14 Palestinians.
(MS-AÖ) 08.03.2004