Israel is ready to provide whatever assistance Turkey needs in light of a deadly earthquake that struck the country Sunday morning, President Shimon Peres has declared.

“At this difficult time, the state of Israel is willing to give whatever is necessary, in any part of Turkey, at any time,” Peres told his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul.

Peres also extended Israel’s sympathy for the loss of life in the quake. “The state of Israel shares your sorrow… Speaking as a human being, as a Jew and as an Israeli, who remembers and is aware of the deep historic ties between our two peoples, I send condolences to the families of those killed on behalf of my entire people,” he told Gul.

Gul thanked Peres for his sentiments, but rejected his offer of help. Currently, Turkey is focused on studying the extent of the damage, he said, adding that he hopes Turkey will be able to complete rescue efforts without assistance.

Israel has sent aid in the wake of earthquakes in Haiti, Japan and elsewhere.