More than 30 Muslims on Monday rallied at the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines to denounce Israeli troops' hostilities in the Palestinian-control Gaza Strip.
Protesters upheld banners and pictures saying "Israel guilty of war crimes", "Israel butcher of children" in front of the embassy compound in Makati city of Metro Manila and called for an immediate cease-fire to the latest round of violence that has left 514 people dead since Dec. 27.
The rally came a day after Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered immediate evacuation of 120 Filipinos who are residing in Gaza.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the evacuation is to ensure that Filipinos in the region are kept out of harm's way, even though there is not yet report of Filipino casualties in the clashes.
Since Israel unleashed its air and sea campaign, more than 500 Palestinians have been killed, including children, while 2,000 of others were wounded.
The Israeli bombardment has also demolished dozens of houses and heightened concern over the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave where most of the 1.5 million residents depend on foreign aid.
The Israeli army, meanwhile, said Palestinian militants have fired more than 300 rockets and mortars at Israeli targets over the past two weeks.