Region | Syria
Hundreds of thousands of Syrians protest Israel offensive
Hundreds of thousands of Syrians are gathered in downtown Damascus in a government-orchestrated rally to protest Israel's military offensive against the Gaza Strip.
- AP
- Published: 15:12 January 8, 2009
Damascus: Hundreds of thousands of Syrians are gathered in downtown Damascus in a government-orchestrated rally to protest Israel's military offensive against the Gaza Strip.
Thursday's protest is the biggest ever in the Syrian capital since Israel launched the offensive on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip Dec. 27.
Syria's official news agency Sana estimates the number of protesters at about a million. But independent estimates put it at hundreds of thousands.
Demonstrators are carrying pictures of Syria's president and the leader of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah, both of whom support Hamas.
Israel has said that it started its campaign in order to stop Hamas rocket fire. Around 700 Palestinians have been killed since the offensive began.
News Editor's choice
-
6,000 cups and counting: Addicted to that tea
This cafeteria in Al Mamzar attracts thousands of customers daily, including the rich and not so rich
-
Swimming pool horror: Twins hospitalised
Twins rushed to hospital after collapsing from chlorine inhalation at swimming pool in their villa
-
Play your cards right with credit card interest
UAE Central Bank plans to cap interest rates, but are you paying thirty-five per cent now?
