Protestors around the globe took to the streets of London, Glasgow, Manila, Zagreb, Paris, and Berlin on 24 and 25 November to call for justice for Palestinians. The protests marked the sixth consecutive weekend of demonstrations, urging an end to the Israeli war on Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.
Tens of thousands of protestors flooded central London on 25 November, chanting for a permanent ceasefire as the four-day truce entered its second day.
The demonstrators expressed optimism during the temporary truce but emphasized that without a permanent resolution, it is merely a pause in a long-standing conflict. The Metropolitan Police arrested 18 people during demonstrations.
Over in Scotland, Hundreds of demonstrators rallied for peace in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Demonstrators held signs and banners which included ones saying “ceasefire now” and “stop the genocide.”
Beyond the UK, international cities resonated with calls for an end to the Israeli war on Gaza. In Berlin, people gathered to demand an end to Israeli aggression and express solidarity with Palestinians. As for Paris, the city witnessed mixed pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli activism, as authorities banned pro-Palestinian protests and promised to protect Jews from “resurgent antisemitism” on 13 October.
On 24 November, supporters of Palestine assembled at shopping centers in major U.S. cities, calling for a halt to U.S. financial support for Israel and an urgent ceasefire in Gaza.
Protests also took place in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, where hundreds took part in a pro-Palestine demonstration, calling for a permanent ceasefire while condemning Israel’s war on Gaza. Similar demonstrations took place in Zagreb, Croatia’s capital.
While the four-day truce offers a brief relief, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire. The toll of the war on Palestinians underscores the urgency of finding a permanent end to hostilities.
THE CONFLICT SO FAR
After a surprise attack conducted on 7 October by Hamas on a number of southern Israeli towns, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,200 people and more than 220 being taken hostage by Hamas, Israel launched a retaliatory bombing campaign against what it describes as ‘terrorist targets’ in the Gaza Strip.
At least 14,500 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip — including at least 5,500 children — and over 32,000 others injured. Meanwhile, at least 225 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and more than 2,700 injured. The death toll is no longer being regularly updated due to the collapse of the enclave’s health system.
Israel and Hamas reached an agreement on 22 November, announcing a four-day cessation of hostilities to facilitate the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza, 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, and the entry of humanitarian aid. The truce began on 24 November.
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