A pro-Palestinian demonstration is marching through central London, with protesters calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The group – thought to be a few thousand strong – is marching from Russell Square to Whitehall, where speeches will be given.

The event has been organised by groups including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, with people travelling from across the UK to take part.

It comes as a policing operation is in place across the capital, one year after the 7 October attacks in Israel.

People could be seen carrying Palestinian flags and placards with message “ceasefire now” and “hands off Lebanon”, and chanting “stop the bombing now”.

A counter-protest also took place forcing police to form a cordon between the two marches.

Conditions have been imposed to move the counter-protest group back to Trafalgar Square as it got “too close to the main march and well away from the agreed area”, the Metropolitan Police said.

Two people have also been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.

Pro-Palestinian protests marching through central LondonPro-Palestinian protests marching through central London

Demonstrators shouted “ceasefire now” and “stop the bombing” [Getty Images]

Police kept demonstrators apartPolice kept demonstrators apart

Police kept pro-Palestinian protesters and counter-protesters apart [Getty Images]

Separately, pro-Palestinian supporters will walk through the centre of Edinburgh on Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday afternoon, a memorial event will take place in Hyde Park organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council and other groups.

The war began when Hamas gunmen attacked Israel on 7 October last year, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 others as hostages.

Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza that has now killed at least 41,825 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.



Source link