Turkey 'expels' Israel ambassador over Gaza massacre

Turkey has expelled the Israeli ambassador to the country in the wake of a massacre of Palestinian protesters on Monday carried out by Israeli forces, Anadolu Agency  reported.

Unnamed diplomatic sources told the state-run outlet on Tuesday that Ankara has asked the envoy to leave, a day after Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel.

"The foreign ministry summoned Ambassador Eitan Naeh and told him it would be 'appropriate' for him to return to his country 'for a while'," the report said.

At least 61 Palestinians were killed and thousands injured by Israeli forces on Monday as they protested along the Gaza border against the opening of the new US embassy in Jerusalem.

The massacre has sparked widespread condemnation from the international community and human rights groups.

South Africa, Turkey and Ireland have also recalled their ambassadors from Tel Aviv to protest against the killing of the protesters. Belgium summoned the Israeli ambassador, in response to the massacre.

Turkey said on Tuesday that it was prepared to take in wounded Palestinian protesters.

Health Minister Ahmet Demircan said Turkey's emergency agency and the military had prepared an "air bridge" to transport wounded Gazans and were waiting for negotiations to conclude.

He said the wounded are at high risk due to insufficient health care in Gaza, which has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade for more than ten years.

Turkey has strongly condemned the US decision to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem and Israel's use of deadly force on Palestinians protesting the move.

The new embassy was inaugurated on Monday