Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his visit to the Gaza Strip.

Addressing members of the Turkish parliament, Erdogan said he would soon go to Gaza and “would embrace his friends,” RIA Novosti reported, quoting Turkish television.  

It is the first official statement of the Turkish Premiermade after receiving apology from Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.

On March 22 it was reported that Israeli PM apologized to Turkey for the death of nine citizens during the Mavi Marmara flotilla incident. The sides were reported to mend ties.