Thousands rally across Europe to support Palestine, condemn Israeli atrocities

Demonstrators have taken to the streets across Europe in support of Palestine, denouncing the Israeli regime for repeatedly breaching the Gaza ceasefire with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.

Tens of thousands of people marched across London and Stockholm on Saturday in support of Palestine, protesting Israel’s ongoing genocidal assault on the Gaza Strip despite a ceasefire and demanding an end to European arms sales to the occupying entity.

In the UK, large crowds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in London’s Russell Square before marching to Whitehall, home to the Prime Minister’s Office at 10 Downing Street and other central government institutions.

The march carried domestic and international messages, with participants urging the British government to reject involvement in a so-called “peace council,” seen by protesters as a pathway toward the reoccupation of the Gaza Strip.

The Board of Peace (BOP) is a US government-led international body established under President Donald Trump, purportedly tasked with overseeing the second phase of the ceasefire that came into effect on October 10, 2025.

Activists say the initiative seeks to sideline the United Nations, marginalize Palestinian resistance, and advance Israel’s agenda across occupied Palestine under the guise of diplomacy.

British Members of Parliament Zarah Sultana and John McDonnell joined the march, along with British-Palestinian doctor Ghassan Abu Sitta, who has worked extensively in Gaza.

Tensions rose after British police allowed a pro-Israel group, known for its hostility toward Muslims, to hold a parallel demonstration along the protest route, raising fears of clashes with pro-Palestine marchers, though the main rally proceeded without major incident.

Israeli claims of ceasefire violations meant to 'justify massacres' in Gaza: Hamas

Hamas rejects Israeli claims that recent bombings in Gaza are a “response” to the resistance movement’s violations of the ceasefire agreement as “lies meant to justify its massacres in Gaza.”

In Sweden, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the capital, Stockholm, to protest Israel’s attacks on Gaza and its restrictions on humanitarian aid, with the rally organized by several civil society groups at Odenplan Square.

Demonstrators denounced Israel for violating the ceasefire by continuing airstrikes on Gaza and severely limiting the flow of humanitarian assistance into the besieged territory.

Banners carried by protesters read: “Children are being killed in Gaza,” “Schools and hospitals are being bombed,” “Stop the attacks on Gaza,” “End food restrictions,” and “Israel must comply with the peace agreement.”

The demonstrators demanded an immediate end to Israel’s attacks and urged the Swedish government to halt all arms exports to the Israeli regime.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported on Saturday that at least 524 people have been killed during the ceasefire period, which began on October 10 last year, including 260 children, women, and elderly civilians, with civilians making up 92% of the fatalities and most deaths occurring outside designated “yellow line” areas.

The wounded number 1,405, including 780 children, women, and elderly civilians, while reports show nearly all injuries occurred in residential zones outside the “yellow line,” alongside the detention of 50 Palestinians from those same areas.

The ministry also reported that at least 17 Palestinians were killed and 49 injured in the Gaza Strip over a 48-hour period, including 12 fatalities since dawn on Saturday, as many victims remain trapped under rubble amid continued shelling.

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