Copenhagen  - Thousands of people gathered Tuesday in downtown Copenhagen to protest the ongoing violence in Gaza.

The protest at the main city hall square was organized by among others opposition parties and trade unions. Organizers estimated 5,000 people attended.

Earlier Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen urged Israel and Hamas to cease the violence.

Rasmussen said Copenhagen had no plans to seek compensation from Israel for damages to Danish-funded aid projects damaged or destroyed in the ongoing offensive in Gaza.

The premier told reporters that "it was Hamas that broke the truce, and Hamas started the conflict by firing rockets on Israel. No country can just passively accept being fired on." dpa