Free Republic

For the first time since a massive earthquake struck Turkey's east, Ankara has asked Israel for aid on Tuesday, after rejecting several offers by top Israeli officials in the last two days. On Monday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected an aid offer by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone conversation between the two leaders, representing the second such rejection since a 7.2 magnitude quake struck Turkey. On Sunday, despite the frantic search and rescue efforts, Turkey turned down Israel's offer, as well as similar offers from several other countries. Ankara issued a statement saying that the extent...

IDF standing by to send assistance after 7.2-quake hits Turkey's southeast; Turkish President Abdullah Gul tells Peres he hopes local rescue forces can handle situation Israel is preparing to send aid to Turkey in the wake of a powerful earthquake that hit the east of the country. The Foreign Ministry said that the scope of the assistance depends on Ankara's willingness to accept it. According to reports, up to 1,000 could be dead due to the 7.2-magnitue quake that struck the Van province Sunday. Turkey's deputy prime minister said that around 45 buildings have collapsed in the town of Ercis...

A strong earthquake collapsed homes and buildings in eastern Turkey Sunday morning. Casualty report to come. The mid-day earthquake was recorded at 7.3 on the Richter scale, according to a Greek news agency, and 6.6 by the Associated Press.