Police detained an armed man who took staff hostage at a Procter & Gamble factory in northwestern Türkiye on Thursday and rescued seven hostages, ending a protest against Israel's military campaign in Gaza, the local governor's office said, Paralel.Az reports citing Reuters.

The Kocaeli governor's office said that the hostages were unharmed, adding that the operation to rescue them was launched after negotiations with the hostage-taker failed.

"Our security forces intervened and neutralised the suspect," the statement said, adding that he was an employee of the factory who "wanted to draw attention to the ongoing occupation in Gaza."

P&G thanked the authorities for their handling of the crisis.

"The fact that no one was harmed is our greatest relief. We are grateful to the authorities and first responders who managed the situation with courage and professionalism," the company said in a statement.

"Our efforts to support those employees most directly impacted, their families and the entire P&G community are ongoing."

The hostage-taker entered the factory in Gebze industrial zone in Kocaeli province around 3 p.m. (1200 GMT), the Demiroren news agency said earlier, adding that police had then rushed to the scene and sought to persuade him to give himself up.

The hostages were six men and a woman, media reports had said.