SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Scores injured as crowd tries to storm Israeli embassy in Cairo

Reports say up to 120 people have been injured after protesters tried to storm the Israeli embassy in Cairo, with another twelve killed across the region in protests against the foundation of the Jewish state.

cairo_israel_embassy_b_110516_ap_1785902518

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AFP


Skip to article content

Egyptian protesters demanding the expulsion of Israel's ambassador clashed with riot police outside the Israeli embassy in Cairo on Sunday, leaving at least 120 people wounded, according to Al Jazeera.

The violence came as at least another twelve were killed on Israel's borders with Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip.

The police in Egypt, who were backed by the army, fired dozens of tear gas canisters at the protesters, who ripped out paving stones to throw and burned tyres.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

At least 24 people were injured in the clashes, according to the health ministry, quoted by the official MENA news agency.

The clashes continued sporadically overnight, with some protesters telling a police officer trying to negotiate with them to leave that they would stay until the ambassador was expelled.

The protest was one of a series timed to coincide with the establishment of the Israeli state 63 years ago, in what is commonly referred to in Arabic as the "Nakba" or "catastrophe".

"Ambassador Out!" the protesters chanted, denouncing Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and demanding the release of all Palestinian detainees.

Security officials blanketed the street with tear gas, sending protesters fleeing through the thick white smoke into nearby streets, before regrouping and pelting riot police surrounding the embassy building with stones.

Ambulances were seen carrying away those who fainted.

Protesters also set tyres on fire near the embassy, which is on the top floor of a building overlooking the Nile and protected by army and police officers, who barricaded the narrow street leading to the entrance.

Sunday's protest, the third in as many days, came hours after senior Israeli defence ministry official Amos Gilad was in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials, in the first visit by a top official from the Jewish state since a popular uprising toppled president Hosni Mubarak in February.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world