CAIRO: Thirty-five members of Egypt s main opposition group the Muslim Brotherhood were arrested Tuesday as they were protesting the Israeli offensive in Gaza, a security official said.

Police detained 18 of them in the province of Sharqiya, five in Damietta and 12 in Tanta, he said.

Egyptian police have blocked several protests and arrested hundreds of demonstrating members of the Muslim Brotherhood since the start of the Israeli offensive in Gaza on Dec. 27.

The party has called on Egyptian authorities to allow the expression of popular anger against the Israeli operation through demonstrations. – AFP