WASHINGTON, USA: Over the weekend, tens of thousands of protesters in cities across the world gathered to demand a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon as the war in the Palestinian territory approaches its one-year anniversary.
In Washington, D.C., demonstrators gathered outside the White House, urging the U.S. government to cease military aid to Israel, as one man dramatically attempted to set himself on fire, only to be saved by quick intervention from bystanders and police.
Across Europe, cities like Rome, Berlin, and London saw large-scale pro-Palestinian demonstrations. In Rome, the protest turned violent as bottles and firecrackers were thrown at the police, leading to the use of tear gas and water cannons.
In Berlin, authorities detained multiple individuals during the protests, while in London, over a thousand people gathered, resulting in at least 15 arrests. Protests were largely peaceful but underscored the growing frustration with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has claimed more than 41,000 lives in Gaza alone, according to local health officials.
Beyond Europe, demonstrations also took place in countries like South Africa, Indonesia, Venezuela, and Australia, where thousands gathered to express their solidarity with Palestinians and call for an end to the violence. Protesters in Cape Town marched to parliament, while in Jakarta, Indonesia, thousands rallied outside the U.S. embassy.
The widespread demonstrations reflect a growing global outcry against the conflict, with many fearing that the situation could spiral into a larger war, as Israel continues its military operations and responds to missile attacks from Iran. With both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protests being organized around the world, the international community remains deeply polarized over the ongoing conflict in the region.
