Hamas said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's apology to Turkey over the killing of nine Turkish activists during the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid showed Israel's "fear of the regional changes" underway since the Arab Spring.

According to The Jerusalem Post, Hamas spokesman Taher al-Nunu said that "Netanyahu's apology was late, and he should immediately end the siege on Gaza."

A Hamas official said Turkish Premier Erdogan phoned exiled Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal on Friday, March 22 evening and briefed him on the details of Netanyahu's apology.