US expresses concern over Turkish aid body's ties to Hamas

Washington, June 3 (ANI): The Obama administration has expressed concern over reports that the Turkish aid organization behind the ship Israel commandeered Monday had contacts with Hamas.

Washington considers Hamas a terrorist organization, and reports of the Turkish aid group, Insani Yardim Vakfi, a.k.a. IHH, is a matter of great concern, said an official.

"We know that IHH representatives have met with senior Hamas officials in Turkey, Syria and Gaza over the past three years," State Department Spokesman P.J. Crowley said Wednesday.

"That is obviously of great concern to us," the Jerusalem Post quoted him as saying further.

However, when it came to reports that IHH has ties to Al Qaida, Crowley said that was something the US "cannot validate." (ANI)