Emmanuel OchayiThousands march across cities worldwide For Gaza Conflict
On Saturday, thousands of protesters took to the streets in major cities worldwide, demanding an immediate end to the violence in Gaza.
Demonstrations were held in London, Paris, Rome, Manila, Cape Town, and other cities, with protestors calling for international action as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas approaches its first anniversary.
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In London, an estimated 40,000 people participated in a pro-Palestinian march through central streets. Agnes Kory, one of the protesters, expressed her frustration at the lack of response from the Israeli government. “Unfortunately, despite all our goodwill, the Israeli government does not take any notice. They just go ahead and continue their atrocities in Gaza, and now also in Lebanon,” Kory said. She further criticized the British government for its arms support to Israel, calling it “lip service” in the face of continued conflict.
Protests in other cities echoed similar sentiments. In Paris, Houssam Houssein, a Lebanese-French protester, voiced his concerns about the growing risk of regional war. “We fear a regional war, because there are tensions with Iran at the moment. We really need to stop the war because it’s now become unbearable,” he said.
Protests spread globally
Protests were not limited to Europe. In Manila, protesters clashed with police as they demonstrated in front of the U.S. embassy. The activists were protesting American military support for Israel, demanding an end to U.S. involvement. Further protests are expected across the United States, South America, and Asia over the weekend.
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Counter-protests in Berlin
While many protests focused on condemning Israeli military actions, some counter-protests also emerged. In Berlin, supporters of Israel gathered to oppose the rising wave of antisemitism that has accompanied global protests. The tension led to confrontations between police and pro-Palestinian demonstrators, resulting in minor scuffles.
The escalating conflict
The conflict, which began in October 2023 with a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel, has now claimed tens of thousands of lives. According to Israeli sources, 1,200 people were killed in the initial attack, with 250 hostages taken. In response, Israel launched an extensive military operation in Gaza, which has led to nearly 42,000 Palestinian deaths and the displacement of millions.
Despite ongoing efforts by the United States and other international bodies to negotiate a ceasefire, there has been no resolution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that military actions will continue until Hamas is fully dismantled. “We cannot allow another attack like the one we saw on October 7,” Netanyahu said during a press conference.
A call for peace
Protesters worldwide continue to call for an immediate end to the conflict, stressing that the violence has now spread beyond Gaza, affecting Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq. With tensions rising, many fear the situation could lead to a broader regional war if international diplomacy fails to intervene.
“We need peace now more than ever,” said one protester in Cape Town. “This conflict has gone on for too long, and innocent lives are being lost every day.”
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
