Israel Sending Aid to Turkey After Earthquake

The AP is reporting that Turkey has now requested assistance from Israel. See the article below.

JERUSALEM—Israel's defense minister says Israel will help Turkey aid earthquake victims "as soon as possible," after Turkey accepted Israel's offer of assistance.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in a statement Tuesday that "special aid" will be sent to Turkey. He did not elaborate.

A ministry spokesman said Turkey asked for emergency housing units, and Israel was checking what else it could do. There was no immediate comment from Turkey.

The two countries were once close allies, but Turkey has shifted to seeking a wider Mideast role while harshly criticizing Israel.

Israel offered aid just after the 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Sunday, killing hundreds.

Israel often sends rescue teams to world earthquake sites. In 1999, Israeli teams helped dig people out of the rubble after a huge earthquake hit Turkey.