Erdogan reportedly set to visit Gaza

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is planning to visit the Gaza Strip next week, Palestinian news agency Maan yesterday reported Hebrew-language daily Maariv as saying. Maariv said political sources confirmed that Erdogan told Egypt's ruling military council that he intended to visit the coastal enclave on July 25, and his request to enter Gaza was approved, but Turkish Foreign Ministry officials have denied the reports. According to Maariv, Israel tried to prevent the visit by sending a message to the Egyptian authorities, but their request was denied. Israel views the trip as a boost for Hamas, the daily reported.