Egyptian security forces are on high alert following an emergency meeting of the country's government Saturday to deal with the aftermath of an attack on the Israeli embassy in Cairo.

Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf called the urgent closed-door session after a large crowd stormed the embassy late Friday and tore down a protective wall before breaking through Egyptian Army positions defending the premises. The rioting lasted into the early hours Saturday. Later in the day, protesters made a second attempt to break into the building.

Egyptian officials say at least three people were killed in the clashes and more than 1,000 others wounded. Security forces arrested several people.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack Saturday, calling it a blatant violation of international norms that severely harms peaceful relations with Israel. But he also thanked Egyptian commandos for rescuing six Israelis trapped inside the embassy during the melee and said Israel will stand by its peace agreements with Egypt.

The Israeli government said it was working with Egypt to return the embassy staff to Cairo as soon as possible, adding its deputy ambassador remains in Egypt to keep up diplomatic contact.

Diplomatic relations between Israel and Egypt have been tense since Israeli forces mistakenly killed five Egyptian police officers last month near the border while responding to a cross-border militant attack.

Public anger over that event has escalated in Egypt. Also, there have been heightened calls for Egypt to end its historic 1979 peace treaty with Israel since former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's February resignation.