Global Protests for Ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon
Thousands of protesters took to the streets in London and other cities around the world on Saturday, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon as the conflict in the Palestinian territory approached its one-year mark.
Wave of Protests Worldwide
- Pro-Palestinian supporters gathered in cities in the UK, France, South Africa, Ireland, and Switzerland.
- Calls for an end to the conflict, which has claimed nearly 42,000 lives in Gaza.
- Dozens of protests and commemorations planned ahead of the anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel.
Casualties
- Hamas’s attack resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians.
- Israel’s retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,825 people in Gaza, the majority being civilians.
Messages from the Marches
- Chants of "ceasefire now", "stop bombing hospitals, stop bombing civilians", and "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" were heard in London.
- In Cape Town, South Africa, demonstrators chanted: "Israel is a racist state" and "We are all Palestinian."
- Protests also took place in France, Switzerland, and were planned in other cities including New York, Sydney, Buenos Aires, Madrid, Manila, and Karachi.
Criticism of Government Actions
- Protesters in London criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s stance on the conflict, with some carrying posters reading: "Starmer has blood on his hands".
- Many felt that the government’s actions were not enough to address the situation.
Law Enforcement
- London’s Metropolitan police implemented a significant policing operation for the protests and memorials.
- Despite mostly peaceful demonstrations, at least 15 people were arrested.
International Commemorations
- Ceremonies for victims of the October 7 attack are planned in various cities including London, Washington, Paris, Geneva, Athens, and Berlin.
- An official anniversary ceremony will take place in Jerusalem on Monday.
The protests highlight the ongoing global concern for the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, with calls for immediate action to achieve a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis in the region.