Ankara - Turkey and Egypt on Monday called for Israel to stop its military operations in the Gaza Strip with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan saying the attacks will only add to the "cycle of violence" in the region, the Anadolu news agency reported.

"The developments in the region will only contribute to the cycle of violence," Babacan said after a meeting in Ankara with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Abul Gheit.

"We call on Israel to immediately halt its military operations in Gaza. On the other hand, Hamas must not take actions which might establish a reason for Israeli military attacks."

Abul Gheit also called for an end to the fighting and again stated that Egypt condemned the military actions of Israel over the past three days.

"Unfortunately the situation in the region is very dangerous. Egypt condemns the Israeli operation in Gaza," Abul Gheit said. (dpa)