Nations call for ceasefire as Gaza War enters one year: Video
Over the weekend, thousands of protesters gathered in various cities worldwide to call for a ceasefire after a year of Israel's deadly war on Gaza.
Demonstrations took place in major cities across Europe, Africa, and the Americas, with participants expressing outrage over the violence that has resulted in nearly 42,000 deaths in Gaza.
As Monday, October 7, marks the anniversary of Hamas's attack on Israel, which left 1,205 people dead, mostly civilians, more protests are anticipated. Israel's military response has reportedly led to over 41,825 casualties in Gaza, the majority of whom are civilians, according to local health officials and UN sources.
Tensions have escalated with Israel's ground operation in Lebanon, following missile attacks attributed to Iran, raising fears of a broader conflict. The international community remains divided, with both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrations occurring in various locations.
In Rome, a pro-Palestinian protest turned violent, with clashes between demonstrators and police leading to injuries and arrests, according to AFP reports.
In Berlin, police detained 26 individuals at a pro-Israeli event, while a pro-Palestinian rally attracted over 1,000 participants.
In London, the "National March for Palestine" featured chants urging an end to civilian bombings and calls for intervention in Lebanon. Although the rally was mostly peaceful, several arrests were made.
Protests also took place in Dublin, Paris, Madrid, and Cape Town, where demonstrators voiced solidarity with Palestinians. In South Africa, participants called Israel a "racist state," while in Venezuela, protesters outside the UN demanded action against what they labelled the "genocide" of Palestinians.
More protests and commemorations are set for Monday in cities including New York, Sydney, and Buenos Aires. Pope Francis has called for a day of "prayer and fasting for peace," coinciding with an official memorial service in Jerusalem led by Israeli President Isaac Herzog to honour the victims of the conflict.
