JERUSALEM -- The second day of fighting between Israel and the Hamas militant group ruling the Gaza Strip left massive damage in Gaza and an increasing number of casualties on both sides on Wednesday.

High-rise buildings were flattened by the Israeli air force in Gaza while over 1,000 rockets were fired by Gazan militants toward Israel throughout the day, including a rare overnight massive barrage against the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.

This was the most intense fighting between rivaling Hamas and Israel since they fought a five-week-long war in 2014. (Israel-Gaza-Attack)

----

ISTANBUL -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed Israeli attacks against the Palestinians during a phone conversation, Turkey's presidential office said in a statement Wednesday.

Erdogan said the international community should teach Israel a "strong and deterrent" lesson to stop its "reckless attacks" on Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Palestinians.

He also noted it is important for the UN Security Council to intervene in before the crisis further worsens. (Turkey-Russia-Israel)

----

DAMASCUS -- Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said here on Wednesday that Iran is willing to build close ties with Saudi Arabia.

Speaking to reporters following a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad, Zarif said Iran has established some contacts with Saudi Arabia for greater cooperation.

"We certainly are ready and have always been ready for close ties with Saudi Arabia. We are sure that our Syrian brothers have always welcomed cooperation with the Arab world," he said. (Syria-Iran-Saudi)

----

TEHRAN -- Iran will implement the Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty again if sanctions imposed by the United States against the country are lifted, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday.

"Resuming the voluntary implementation of Additional Protocol is predicated on sanctions being lifted. If possible, we would like to get to it before May 21," Araqchi, who is leading the Iranian delegation in the Vienna nuclear talks, wrote on Twitter. (Iran-Nuke Deal) Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)