BERLIN

More than 20 demonstrators were detained Saturday during a pro-Palestinian rally in Berlin. 

Thousands gathered at the Schönhauser Allee metro station in the Prenzlauerberg district to protest Israeli attacks against the Gaza Strip and show solidarity with Palestinians.

Protesters marched toward the city center, chanting: "Israel kills children", "Israel is a terrorist state", "Ceasefire now" and "Germany funds Israel bombs."

A separate attempted twice to provoke the demonstration by displaying Israeli flags along the route.

Police and some protesters intervened to prevent a further escalation.

Police spokeswoman Anja Dierschke said more than 20 protesters were detained for various reasons.

The heavily policed march ended near the Alexanderplatz metro station.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul