In the Palestinian territories and the Arab world hundreds of thousands protested on Monday against Israel’s assassination of Sheik Ahmed Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas.

The killing was widely condemned by international leaders with the exception of the U.S. which called it deeply troubling but did not outright condemn the attack.

The assassination was opposed by some top Israeli officials including the head of Israel’s Shin Bet security service, Avi Dichter. This according to a report on Israel’s Channel Two TV.

When Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered the assassination of Yassin last week, Dichter argued that the assassination will lead to revenge attacks in the short run and ultimately will leave a vacuum within the Palestinian leadership.

After the attack Israel bolstered security at its embassies around the world. The Israeli army was put on heightened alert. And border crossings were closed off.

Haaretz is reporting that at least five Palestinians, including a 13-year-old boy, were killed and dozens injured, in clashes with Israeli forces during the day on Monday.