Thousands of Egyptians protest against Israel's operation in Gaza

Demonstrators march in Cairo and Alexandria after Egypt’s PM visits Gaza in show of solidarity

CAIRO (AP) — Thousands are protesting across Egypt against Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The demonstrations come on the day that Egypt’s prime minister, Hesham Kandil, traveled to Gaza in a symbolic show of support for the territory’s Hamas rulers.

Egyptians marched in the country’s two largest cities, Cairo and Alexandria, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against Israel. In Cairo’s Tahrir Square, a few hundred protesters burned an Israeli flag.

President Mohammed Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood called for the demonstrations. Egypt has recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv in protest.

In his Friday sermon in Cairo, influential cleric Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi said the Islamic world would not be silent in the face of Israel’s military operation in Gaza.

Israel says it is responding to rocket fire by Gaza militants.