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Egypt's Morsi: Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza 'Unacceptable'

An Egyptian woman waves the Palestinian flag in solidarity with Gaza during a protest against Israel's military operation in the region, in Cairo, Egypt, November 15, 2012.

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Edward Yeranian

November 15, 2012

CAIRO — Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi said in a televised address to the nation on Thursday that Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip are "unacceptable" and would lead to instability in the region.

There was little public reaction in Egypt Thursday to Israel's military operation in Gaza, as businesses and public institutions were closed for an Islamic holiday.

Overnight, a small crowd gathered near the Egyptian foreign ministry, demanding that Cairo cut diplomatic ties with Israel. Israel's ambassador to Egypt left the country Wednesday night, but Israeli officials say that the embassy remains "open for business."

Who is Ahmed al-Jaabari?

Headed Hamas' military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades
Most senior Hamas official killed in Gaza since Israel's offensive four years ago
Was at the top of Israel's most-wanted list
Israel held him responsible for all attacks from Gaza in the last decade
Israel blamed him for kidnapping of soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006

Egyptian officials later announced that Cairo was withdrawing its ambassador to Israel. Arab media say this is the third time Egypt has withdrawn its ambassador since the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.

A handful of Egyptian political leaders condemned the Israeli military action. Morsi said in his speech that he had urged U.S. President Barack Obama to help put an end to the Israeli operation.

He said he spoke to President Obama just before dawn about how to stop what he called Israel's aggression and how to achieve peace and security in the region by preventing acts that cause bloodshed.

A number of Egyptian Islamist groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, are calling for a "million man" demonstration on Friday in Cairo's Tahrir Square. But some observers doubt that large crowds will turn out.

Gaza City, Gaza

Said Sadek, who teaches political sociology at the American University in Cairo, said Egyptian society is divided over so many issues that he does not foresee a strong response.

"What we are seeing today is just rhetorical war, some diplomatic gestures here and there, but it doesn't lead to anything. Some of the opposition forces, especially the Islamists, are seizing what happened in Gaza to settle scores in the domestic conflict in the country," said Sadek. "People are very much divided, so even calls that there will be a demonstration in Tahrir Square tomorrow... I don't think it will get a million [demonstrators]."

Sadek said many Egyptians have used social media to criticize the government's strong response to the Gaza operation. He points out that some are angry that the government barely reacted to another recent incident where Hamas or its sympathizers allegedly killed 20 Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai.

Arab League foreign ministers are due to meet Saturday in Cairo to discuss the Israeli military operation in Gaza. The ministers met several days ago with their European Union counterparts in the Egyptian capital to discuss both the crisis in Syria and a Palestinian request to join the United Nations.

Smoke rises following an Israeli attack on Gaza City, Nov. 15, 2012.
Damage is shown to the top of a building in Kiriat Malakhi, November 15, 2012. (VOA - L. Fridmam)
A Zaka volunteer cleans blood stains from an apartment in a building that was hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, where three people were killed in Kiryat Malachi, southern Israel, Kiryat Malachi, southern Israel, November 15, 2012.
Zaka volunteers clean blood stains from a pillow and a baby toy in a children's room in apartment building that was hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, where three people were killed in Kiryat Malachi, southern Israel, Kiryat Malachi, southern Isra
Palestinian women react during the funeral of Hisham Al Galban, a Hamas militant killed in an Israeli attack, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, November 15, 2012.
A Palestinian demonstrator runs through a cloud of tear gas during clashes against Israel's operations in Gaza Strip, outside Ofer, an Israeli military prison near the West Bank city of Ramallah, November 15, 2012.
A Palestinian boy holds a window pane taken from a damaged house hit in an Israeli strike, in Gaza City, November 15, 2012.s
Israelis take cover as a siren warning of an incoming rocket sounds in Kiryat Malachi, southern Israel, Thursday, November 15, 2012.

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