-
-
-
Loading
Loading
In London, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have gathered to advocate for an end to Israel's attacks in Gaza. This comes after a demonstration last weekend, where 100,000 individuals marched through the city to demand an end to the bombing. Similar rallies are also expected in other UK cities such as Manchester and Glasgow. The protests coincide with Israel's expansion of strikes, which began three weeks ago in response to Hamas' attack on its territory. The demonstrators held signs with messages like "Gaza, stop the massacre" and "Free Palestine, end Israeli occupation." Chants of "Stop arming Israel. Stop bombing Gaza" and "We are all Palestinian" resonated through the crowd. One chant, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," led the Home Secretary to express concerns about its potential violent undertones. The Metropolitan Police anticipates large crowds around various parts of London and has deployed over 1,000 officers. In addition to London, thousands gathered in Manchester's Central Library to attend a pro-Palestinian rally. Politicians have also been weighing in on the situation, with the region's mayor calling for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. While a small number of arrests occurred during the previous weekend's protests, the police stated that no charges were brought as a result of a video showing a protester chanting "jihad." However, police have clarified that they will step in if the term is used in chants during this weekend's demonstrations. The Foreign Secretary warned that calls for a ceasefire will not resolve the situation, citing Hamas' lack of willingness to accept or respect such an agreement. He urged protesters to be cautious of misinformation and manipulation, as well as a small minority with negative motives. Similar demonstrations have been taking place globally, with protesters pushing for an end to the fighting and access to aid in Gaza. In New York, the flood of demonstrators at Grand Central Terminal caused a temporary closure. This surge in protests corresponds with Hamas' surprise assault on Israel on October 7th, resulting in numerous casualties and hostages. Israel has since conducted strikes in Gaza, resulting in a significant number of deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.