PARIS/MADRID/VIENNA/ROME
Thousands took to the streets in European capitals Saturday to protest Israeli attacks and demand a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.
Demonstrators once again held a number of protests to urge their governments to pressure Israel in the face of an ongoing dire humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave.
In France, protesters held rallies across the country, including in Toulouse, Nice as well as Paris in support of Palestine.
Gathering at the Republic Square in Paris, the crowd held a march toward the Bastille Square chanting pro-Palestinian slogans.
French rapper Kery James, La France insoumise (LFI) MPs Thomas Portes, Louis Boyard, Mathilde Panot, Carlos Martens Bilango, former French Presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon were among attendees.
Portes told Anadolu that Israel started the "massacre in Gaza" again after a short period.
Mentioning the killings of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, he noted that illegal settlements are killing children and Israel is committing "ethnic cleansing."
Portes criticized the international community and the French government for remaining silent against what is happening in Gaza.
He vowed to keep staging rallies to pressure Israel.
'Palestinian cause is a just cause'
Algerian disabled protester Hassan Gaine said he attended the protest to support Palestinians in Gaza.
"I'm in a wheelchair but that doesn't matter, Palestinians are suffering more," he told Anadolu.
“The Palestinian cause is a just cause, there needs to be a state for Palestinians. the bombardments must end,” added Gaine who burst into tears.
Earlier Saturday, a protest was held in the suburbs of Paris where Palestinian supporters gathered outside a supermarket chain to call for a boycott because of "support to Israel."
Demonstrators distributed leaflets to raise awareness about "the massacres committed by Israel in Palestine."
Protesters held rallies across Spain, including Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, Granada and Madrid in support of Palestinians.
They demanded an immediate cease-fire and boycott of Israel and encouraged the government to pressure Israel.
Representatives from political parties like Podemos, attended the protests.
Demonstrators urged the Spanish government to cut ties with Israel until a cease-fire in Gaza is achieved.
'Our hearts are with Palestinians'
In the Austrian capital Vienna, demonstrators gathered in the central Mariahilf area to protest Israeli attacks that resumed after the end of a humanitarian pause.
Salah Abdel-Shafi, Palestinian Ambassador in Vienna, told the crowd of the need for a permanent cease-fire in the region.
He demanded that the government push for a cease-fire in the besieged enclave.
Speaking to Anadolu, Irish student Olen, who did not give his last name, said he attends protests every Saturday to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
"Our hearts are with Palestinians in Gaza and around the world," he said.
Meanwhile, protesters also held demonstrations in Milan and Malta's capital, Valetta, to protest Israeli attacks on Gaza.
About 1,000 people with Palestinian flags held a march in Milan, shouting "Free Palestine."
A number of protests were held in other European countries, including the UK and Germany.
The Israeli army resumed bombing the Gaza Strip early Friday after declaring an end to a week-long humanitarian pause with the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.
At least 193 Palestinians have been killed and 652 injured since Friday in Israeli airstrikes, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The humanitarian pause began Nov. 24 as part of an agreement between Israel and Hamas to temporarily halt fighting to allow hostage swaps and aid delivery.
More than 15,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have been killed in Israeli attacks since Oct. 7 following a cross-border attack by Hamas.
Around 1,200 Israelis have also been killed, according to official estimates.
