Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Sunday that Turkey had talks with Israel through diplomatic channels to revive bilateral ties, but reiterated that reconciliation was not possible until Ankara's demands were met by the Israeli side, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported.

Talking about the efforts to halt the recent eight-day violence in the Gaza Strip, Davutoglu said "Turkey took an active part in the process. There was contact with the Israeli side to end the fighting in Gaza, which was causing human suffering. If there is a possibility to end a human tragedy, Turkey will talk with anybody, " Davutoglu said.

He stated that when the talks entered a deadlock, Turkey offered alternative formulations and had discussions with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaalon before a truce deal was reached.

He noted that the request for the meeting came from the Israeli side, and asserted that Turkey's demands were not open to any negotiation or discussion.

The relations between former allies Israel and Turkey soured after Israeli marines boarded a Gaza-bound Turkish vessel in May 2010, which resulted in the death of nine Turks.

The ship was part of a six-fleet flotilla that aimed to break the blockade that Israel imposed on Gaza after Hamas took control of the coastal region. Israel had in advance warned the ships that they would not be allowed to break the siege and five of the ships were intercepted, but nine protesters, including eight Turkish and one U.S.-Turkish person were killed aboard the Mavi Marmara. Endi

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