Hundred thousand marched through London to protest against the war in Gaza and in support of Palestine. London, UK, 21/10/2023

Thousands of Palestinians and their supporters marched through London on Saturday to protest against Israeli bombing of the Gaza strip triggered by the terrorist attacks last Saturday, when Hamas militants attacked Israeli settlements close to the enclave, brutally murdered over 1300 and kidnapped almost 200 - many only little children. The hard line right wing Israeli government immediately retaliated with airstrikes of unseen intensity across the whole Gaza territory officially targeting Hamas positions but killing mostly civilians as bombs flattened whole neighbourhoods. At the same time the Israeli government closed electricity, fuel and water supplies to Gaza leaving local hospitals with only days worth of supplies.

The bombing has caused a humanitarian crisis not seen in decades as hundreds of thousands fled their homes under 24/7 bombardment. As Israeli communities continued to mourn their dead and search for friends and relatives, the military requested that 1.1m Palestinians from the north Gaza move south to avoid looming ground invasion. The IDF dropped flyers that people staying in the North will be considered aiding Hamas terrorists during the ground invasion, yet its bombs fell on designated safe routes south as well as on the southern towns.

On Tuesday, a missile hit Al-Ahli Arab hospital, killing over 400 people who were sheltering on its grounds. IDF put the blame on Islamic Jihad’s “malfunctioning rocket”, the Arab world blames Israel. Independent investigation is yet to provide conclusive answers. On Thursday, an Israeli missile hit the oldest Christian church in Gaza - Saint Porphyrius - killing 16 people.

On Saturday, the first humanitarian help was allowed to Gaza from Egypt - 2 weeks from the start of the conflict as the US, Egypt and Israel negotiate escape of dual nationals stuck in the fenced enclave.

Gaza is facing humanitarian catastrophe with no water, fuel and medicines. As of 22/10, at least 4,741 Palestinians were killed and 15,898 wounded in the airstrikes.

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National March for Palestine, London, UK, 21/10/2023