Pro-Palestine protesters march through the streets of London demanding an Israeli ceasefire in Gaza
PRO-Palestine protesters have marched through the streets of London demanding an Israeli ceasefire in Gaza.
A large crowd gathered in Victoria Embankment Gardens by the Thames with signs reading “Gaza, Stop The Massacre” and “Free Palestine, End Israeli Occupation”.
The protesters chanted “Stop arming Israel, stop bombing Gaza” and “Gaza, stop the massacre”.
Thousands of people in Gaza including more than 3,500 children have been killed by Israeli airstrikes since October 7.
Last night Israel cut off power and communications for millions of people trapped in Gaza, before blitzing the enclave with bombs and artillery.
The UN General Assembly demanded an immediate humanitarian truce, with 120 states voting for the resolution.
Britain abstained from the vote, which only 14 countries led by Israel and the US opposed.
Rallies are expected in other UK cities including Manchester and Glasgow.
More than 1,000 cops were deployed to police the demonstration in central London, after 10 arrests were made at a similar march last week.
A woman was knocked over by a police horse after the animal was startled by fireworks – but appeared to be fine when she was brought back to her feet.
Cdr Kyle Gordon said that the protest would be policed “right up to the line of the law”.
He added that officers would act on “anything we’ve learned from previous weeks”.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said calls for a ceasefire “aren’t going to help the situation”.
Cleverly said: “Of course we want to see Israel safe, peaceful and secure.”
Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people and taking more than 220 hostages.
This morning a group of hostages’ families backed calls for a ceasefire, speaking of their “great concern and anxiety in the context of the escalation of events”.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “The terrorists Hamas must return the hostages immediately and stop their indiscriminate rocket fire.
“We need to stop further Israeli and Palestinian suffering and the loss of civilian lives – including children – now.
“Today I’ve called for a ceasefire.”
Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf, whose in-laws are trapped in Gaza, also backed calls for a ceasefire.
He said: “Thank you for your good wishes, I’m afraid we have not heard from my in-laws.
“My concern is for all the innocent people suffering for a crime they did not commit.
“If you did not vote for peace, while children are dying, then I do not know how you sleep at night. Ceasefire now.”