Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in London on Saturday, demanding an immediate cease-fire amidst the escalating Israeli attacks on Gaza. Chanting pro-Palestinian slogans, the demonstrators congregated in Embankment before marching towards Parliament Square, waving Palestinian flags.
The intensified Israeli bombardment of Gaza prompted the protesters to criticize the British government for its support of Israel during the crisis. Last Saturday, around 100,000 people marched through central London in a show of solidarity for the Palestinians.
One protester, named Patrick, expressed his support for the people in Gaza, drawing parallels between the situation in the region and the history of conflict in Ireland. He emphasized that the recent attacks in Israel should not justify the bombardment of Gaza.
Gaza has been under relentless Israeli airstrikes since Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7. This surprise offensive by the Palestinian group included a series of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air. It was launched in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and escalating violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
In response, Israel unleashed a campaign of continuous air raids, which further intensified on Friday night alongside ground activities. The Israeli offensive coincided with a complete disruption of telecommunications and internet networks.
Tragically, the Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of at least 7,703 Palestinians, including 3,595 children. The death toll in Israel stands at over 1,400. The loss of life and the ongoing aggression have placed Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants in a dire situation, exacerbated by shortages of food, water, and medicine due to the Israeli blockade of the enclave. Despite the recent opening of the Rafah crossing point, only a few aid trucks have managed to enter Gaza.
On Friday, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce. However, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, rejected the resolution, describing it as despicable.
The protests in London reflect a growing global concern over the conflict and the urgent need for a lasting cease-fire. Demonstrators united in their demand for an immediate cessation of hostilities, emphasizing the importance of resolving the crisis and addressing the severe humanitarian consequences in the region.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution and an end to the violence that has inflicted immense suffering on both Palestinians and Israelis.
