ISLAMABAD, Pakistan / NEW DELHI / DHAKA, Bangladesh / SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir

Former prime ministers joined pro-Palestinian solidarity rallies across Asia on Friday as the besieged Gaza Strip continues facing intense Israeli bombardment.

Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin, two former prime ministers of Malaysia, led demonstrations in the capital Kuala Lumpur and condemned Israeli attacks that came after a surprise offensive by Gaza-based group Hamas, while Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attended the launch fund raising for Palestinians.

In neighboring Indonesia, special prayers in mosques and rallies were held in the capital Jakarta and other parts of the country by several religious and political groups to show solidarity with Palestinians.

In Pakistan, political parties Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, along with other smaller groups, held rallies across the country in protest of Israel following congregational Friday prayers.

Protesters carried banners and placards shoing pictures of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Hamas leaders at the rally, chanting slogans including "Labbaik ya Gaza" (We are here, Gaza), "Israel is occupied force," and "down with the US and down with Israel."

In Bangladesh, thousands marched on the streets in the capital Dhaka after the Friday prayer and held protests against Israeli brutality on innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip.

Leaders at the rallies called for a boycott of Israeli products. They also criticized the US and its allies for backing Israeli attacks against Palestinians.

In Hyderabad, the capital city of India's southern Telangana state, local police detained a group of people who had gathered to express solidarity with Palestine.

The protesters, belonging to student organizations, chanted slogans against Tel Aviv. Local media quoted police officials as saying that the they had not gotten a permit to stage the protest.

In Afghanistan, large rallies were held across several provinces, including the capital Kabul, where protesters condemned Israeli attacks and urged Muslim leaders to raise their voice and protect Palestinians.

A demonstration was held in the Budgam area of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, where anti-state protests had nearly dried up after 2019, when the Indian government scrapped the region's autonomy.

More than 200 protesters prayed for the safety of Gazans and shouted anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.

"Fighters of Gaza, be firm, we will stand behind you," they shouted, carrying placards with pro-Palestine slogans.

"Israel has subjected Gazans to inhumane violence for years. They have a right to defend themselves and break free of the occupation," said Nisar Hussain, a protester.

In the regional capital Srinagar, authorities closed the main Jamia Masjid to the congregational prayer on Friday.

Meanwhile, an Australia Palestine Advocacy Network called on the government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to condemn Israel's actions.

In a statement, the group said that while UN bodies raise alarm about Israel's attacks on civilian infrastructure, talking about collective punishment, war crimes and an exponential deterioration of the humanitarian situation that was already dire.

"Our Foreign Minister is continuing to talk about Israel's right to defend itself, and that it's difficult to judge Israeli military actions from afar," it said.

"The opposition have been even worse — criticising the Foreign Minister for even suggesting restraint by Israel. Peter Dutton went so far as to call for Pro-Palestinian protestors to be deported!" it said, adding: "We can and must condemn Israeli actions."

On Wednesday, activists from the "Islam in Korea" group in South Korea also held a rally in support of Palestine and condemned Israeli attack on Gaza.