Tens of thousands protest Israel over Gaza offensive in Turkey

Up to 30,000 people gathered for an anti-Israeli protest in the Turkish capital of Ankara, waving Palestinian flags and calling for continued "resistance" against the Jewish state in devastated Gaza.Â

The demonstration, held after Israel unilaterally halted its bloody 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip early Sunday, was organized by civic groups and trade unions.

"Israel is a murderer", "Salute to Hamas", "Keep up the resistance," the demonstrators chanted, waving Palestinian and Turkish flags.

"We are all Hamas soldiers," "We are all Palestinians," "Palestine is not alone," read some of the banners the crowd brandished.

"Is Gaza being punished for being Muslim?" read one placard. "The world is watching as Palestine resists," read another.

Police officers estimated that between 20,000 and 30,000 people attended the rally on Sihhiye Square in the heart of the Turkish capital, AFP reported.

In Istanbul nearly 40 activists from a pro-Islamic group protested the Jewish state in front of the Israeli embassy.

There were also demonstrations in many other provinces, including western province of Izmir and Eskisehir, northwestern province of Duzce, northern province of Zonguldak and southern province of Adana, news agencies reported.

Anti-Israeli protests have been staged almost daily in Turkey, the Jewish state's main regional ally, since the offensive in the Gaza Strip began on December 27.