Turkey is holding negotiations over civilians held by Hamas, a senior Turkish official has said.

Talks were being carried out by the Turkish authorities after instructions from Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Turkey has offered to mediate any resolution to the conflict, with its leader having already held talks with regional powers, the US and others. 

But Mr Erdogan has also called Israel’s blockade and bombing of Gaza a disproportionate response amounting to a “massacre”.