• Protesters march toward US Embassy in Manila, raising pro-Palestine slogans
• Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya urges suspension of unilateral actions by Israel, calls for 'sustainable' ceasefire

ISTANBUL / ISLAMABAD / KARACHI, Pakistan / TAIPEI, Taiwan

Thousands of people took to the streets across Pakistan and other Asian countries to express solidarity with Palestinians on the second anniversary of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has left more than 67,000 people dead, the majority of them women and children.

In Pakistan, scores of small and large demonstrations were held in major cities, including the capital Islamabad, the port city of Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Multan, Mardan, and other cities, calling on the international community to take action to put an end to genocide in Gaza.

Students carried banners and waved Palestine flags outside several educational institutions, while social and rights activists gathered outside press clubs and other venues across the country to show solidarity with the people of Gaza.

*Meanwhile, in the Philippines’ capital of Manila, dozens of activists, students, and human rights groups staged a protest rally on Tuesday, calling for an immediate end to Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip after two years of devastating war.

The protesters gathered along Kalaw Avenue and marched toward the US embassy, chanting slogans such as “End the genocide in Gaza.”

Videos and photos shared on social media showed riot police blocking demonstrators near Roxas Boulevard, as they attempted to move closer to the embassy.

Participants carried banners and placards reading “Stop the US war machine” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Protesters also expressed solidarity with activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, who were attacked and detained by Israeli forces last week while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

They pledged to continue their solidarity campaigns for Palestine, calling for an end to the Gaza blockade and urging the Philippine government to stand on “the right side of history.”

The demonstration came in the wake of Israel’s naval attack and seizure of Global Sumud Flotilla vessels last week, during which more than 470 activists from over 50 countries were detained.

The flotilla had been attempting to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza and challenge Israel’s long-standing blockade of the enclave.

Protesters in Taipei mourn Palestinians killed by Israel

Dozens gathered at Taipei’s Liberty Square on Tuesday night for a memorial marking the second anniversary of Israel's genocidal war. Participants mourned the Palestinians killed by Israel’s two-year offensive on Gaza, including journalists and children.

The vigil, held under banners declaring “no justice, no peace,” urged Taiwan’s government to uphold human rights principles, reject entanglement in the Gaza conflict, and halt economic or technological support for Israeli arms production.

Furthermore, they called on Taiwanese society to support the Palestinian resistance against what they call Israel’s long-standing occupation.

Earlier on Sept. 20, the Taiwan Alliance for a Free Palestine disrupted a defense expo in Taipei, denouncing Taiwanese companies' alleged involvement in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

During the event, they released a report accusing 17 Taiwanese defense-related companies of being directly involved in supplying Israel's war effort, 12 of having a "high suspicion" of involvement, and 49 of engaging in commercial exchanges with potential military applications.

While Taiwanese officials insist that there has been no direct military cooperation with Israel, the Lai administration has continued to strengthen parliamentary ties and scientific and technological cooperation, despite international boycotts that are isolating Israel.

Bangladeshi stand in solidarity with Palestine

On the two-year anniversary of Israel's genocide in Gaza, Drik, a well-known Bangladeshi independent media organization, organized a "cultural" protest on Tuesday in solidarity with people all over the world to demand Palestinian freedom.

The event, held in the capital Dhaka, brought together voices through music, poetry, and performance to express strong opposition to Zionism and unwavering support for the Palestinian people, particularly the Gaza children, who have suffered the most as a result of Israeli attacks.

Japanese top diplomat urges Israel to stop 'unilateral actions'

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya urged a "suspension of unilateral actions by Israel" during a news conference on Tuesday.

"Suspension of unilateral actions by Israel, a sustainable ceasefire, immediate release of all hostages, and humanitarian assistance to end the agony of the people in Gaza at the earliest possible timing are what's truly needed at this very moment," he said.

He also reiterated Japan's readiness to take "a realistic and proactive role in advancing even by a single step towards the goal of a two-state solution."

Meanwhile, the Japanese also held a rally Tuesday, during which they attempted to break through the barricade near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo while shouting "Free, free Palestine!" local journalist Thoton Akimoto wrote on the US social media company X.

Afghanistan stresses action to stop genocide

Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi also urged all regional and global actors "capable of halting the oppression and genocide in Gaza" to take concrete action on the situation.

"It is with great sorrow that I note the failure of the current global order to prevent the ongoing atrocities against the innocent children, women, and elderly of Gaza. This situation has raised serious questions about the credibility of international institutions like the United Nations and the philosophy of human rights," Muttaqi said during his address to the seventh round of Moscow Format talks on Afghanistan in Russia.