Protesters gathered at the intersection of 72nd and Dodge in Omaha Saturday afternoon, holding signs and flags against the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

The group Nebraskans For Peace said the peace vigil was an effort to raise awareness about the horrors in Gaza. The demonstration was part of an effort across the U.S. and around the world Saturday to draw attention to the issue.

Many who participated in Omaha are from the region and have family and friends in the Gaza area.

Israel says its two-week-old offensive is intended to stop Palestinian Hamas rocket attacks on southern Israel. Palestinian medical officials say more than 800 people have been killed, most of them civilians.