TEL AVIV, May 15: More than 100,000 protesters gathered on Saturday evening in Tel Aviv to demand an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, in a demonstration organized by the opposition peace camp, organizers said.

The demonstration, in Rabin Square, was to back controversial plans by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to pull back from the Strip.

The organizers said the aim was to press the government to go ahead with the plan, which includes a withdrawal of all Jewish settlers and most troops from the Gaza Strip, despite fierce opposition from the far right.

US President George Bush endorsed the plan last month but it has since been rejected by Mr Sharon's own right-wing Likud party, forcing the prime minister to look at a revised version. Opinion polls suggest the plan has growing support from Israel's political mainstream, spurred by mounting losses in the Gaza Strip, where 13 soldiers were killed in attacks this week. -AFP