Gaza City -

Israel unleashed waves of airstrikes against the Gaza Strip Saturday, targeting Hamas installations and personnel, and killing 200 people, in a long-expected retaliation for ongoing rocket fire from the salient.

More than 275 people were injured in the strikes, Palestinian medical officials said, noting that the fatality toll was the highest in the Gaza Strip since the 1967 Middle East War.

The attack drew outcries across the Arab world, with groups gathering to protest in Lebanon and Jordan, while Arab leaders decried the Israeli actions.

Amman  - Several thousand Jordanians demonstrated Saturday in Amman and other major cities in condemnation of the Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

King Abdullah II was leading an effort with world leaders to ensure a speedy halt to the Israeli "aggression", the royal court said.

The Israeli attack first sparked a demonstration in Amman by the country's professional associations and opposition parties.

Western leaders admonished Israel to end attacks and exercise restraint after Israel conducted airstrikes in the Gaza Strip Saturday - a move that sparked protests across the Arab world.

At least 200 people were killed as Israeli forces staged the airstrikes in response to missile and mortar barrages out of the Gaza Strip. Those attacks had resumed after a ceasefire lapsed December 19.

While fury was expressed across the Arab world, leaders elsewhere called on Israel to rein in or cease its military operations.

Gaza City / Tel Aviv  - Israel unleashed waves of airstrikes against the Gaza Strip Saturday, targeting Hamas installations and personnel, and killing 200 people, in a long-expected retaliation for ongoing rocket fire from the salient.

More than 275 people were injured in the strikes, Palestinian medical officials said, noting that the fatality toll was the highest in the Gaza Strip since the 1967 Middle East War.

Moscow  - Moscow added its voice Saturday to calls for an immediate end to Middle East violence after the Israeli airstrikes that left scores dead in the Gaza Strip.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko called on Israel to end its "combat activities which have already led to great loss and suffering among the peaceful Palestinian population."

At the same time he called on the Hamas organisation to stop its rocket attacks against Israeli territory.