November 16, 2012 - 14:03 AMT
U.S. asks Turkey to urge Hamas to stop rocket attacks

The United States has asked Turkey, along with Egypt, that have contact with Hamas to urge the group to stop its recent rocket attacks from Gaza, a White House adviser said on Thursday, Nov 15, according to Today’s Zaman.

"We've ... urged those that have a degree of influence with Hamas such as Turkey, and Egypt and some of our European partners to use that influence to urge Hamas to de-escalate," said Ben Rhodes, deputy national security advisor, in a conference call with reporters.

Asked whether the United States was concerned that Israeli ground forces would enter Gaza, Rhodes said: “Ultimately it's up to the Israeli government to make determinations about how they're going to carry out their military objectives.”