Gaza protests extend from Mideast to Europe

updated 7:16 p.m. ET Dec. 29, 2008

BEIRUT, Lebanon - From Mideast countries to European capitals, protesters took to the streets Monday to condemn Israel's assault on Gaza that has so far left at least 350 people dead, wounded hundreds more and reduced dozens of buildings to rubble.

By far the largest protest in the Arab world — where outrage over Israel's air strikes continued into a third day — took place in Lebanon, with tens of thousands of Lebanese Hezbollah supporters standing under pouring rain.

The protesters thronged a huge square and nearby streets in the militant group's stronghold south of Beirut, carrying Palestinian, Lebanese and yellow Hezbollah flags and banners supporting the Palestinian people.

There were also rallies Monday in Egypt, Sudan, and Iraq.

Regional concern over Hamas
The street protests have been far stronger in condemnation of Israel than Arab governments, particularly those allied with the United States. Egypt has criticized the attack and called for a cease fire but it and other U.S. allies like Saudi Arabia and Jordan are also weary of Hamas.

The Arab nations have long dropped the military option as a means for settling the Arab-Israeli conflict and support the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. They have criticized Hamas' use of rockets and suicide bombings.

Those governments are also concerned about the rise of Islamic militancy and have viewed with alarm Hamas' 2007 capture of power in Gaza, fearing that it could inspire militants in their respective nations to follow suit.

The massive Lebanese rally was called for by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah who in a speech on Sunday urged crowds in the Arab and Islamic world to rise up in support of Gaza and declared Monday a day of mourning and solidarity with Gaza.

Addressing the crowds Monday through a large screen from an unknown location, Nasrallah urged Palestinians to unite and sought to boost morale. "Israel's air force will fail to destroy the will of the (Palestinian) fighters firing rockets," he said.

"Death to Israel," and "At your service, Gaza!" many in the crowd shouted.

Nasrallah warned Israel that any ground offensive will result in many losses for the Israelis and said Israel will fail as it did when it fought Hezbollah guerrillas in a monthlong air and ground offensive in 2006.

Slogans and insults in Sidon

Video   Israeli airstrikes continue Dec. 29: There were no signs Monday that Israel's punishing assault on Gaza was nearing an end. NBC's Martin Fletcher reports. Nightly News

In the southern Lebanese port city of Sidon, around 3,000 people also staged a demonstration, many of them chanting slogans in which they insulted the rulers of Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia for perceived complicity with Israel.

In Egypt, which has been particularly criticized for joining Israel in closing its borders with Gaza, thousands of people rallied, calling for the active intervention of Arab armies to protect the Palestinians.

Demonstrations were held near the parliament building and in downtown Cairo amid a massive security presence of black-clad riot police. Demonstrations in the tourist destination of Luxor, however, were prevented.

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