Hundreds of Egyptian protesters demanding the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and the severance of ties with the Jewish state, clashed with police outside the Israeli embassy in Cairo. Army troopers fired tear gas and shots into the air to disperse the protesters.

The protest on Sunday is one of the several mass actions held throughout Egypt in commemoration with the establishment of the Israeli state 63 years ago, also known as "Nakba" or "catastrophe" in the Arab world.

"Ambassador Out!" the protesters shouted as they denounced Israel's occupation of Palestine and at the same time demand the release of all Palestine detained in various Israeli prisons.

Protesters set fires on tires near the embassy while the police and the army try to secure the compound and barricaded the street leading to the entrance.

The army fired tear gas and shots into the air as the protesters scampered for safety. They later regrouped into a nearby street and retaliated by throwing stones at the riot police protecting the embassy building.

The protesters also came hours after senior Israeli defence ministry official Amos Gilad arrived in the capital Cairo to meet with Egyptian officials. Amos' trip is the first high-level visit by a Jewish official since a popular uprising in February removed resident Hosni Mubarak from power.