Thousands of people gathered in cities all around the world on Sunday to mark the 100th day of Israel's war with Hamas. Demonstrations took place in cities such as Berlin, London, Limassol, Karachi, and many more. These opposing demonstrations either demanded the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas or called for a cease-fire in Gaza.
In Karachi, Pakistan, tens of thousands of people participated in a rally organized by the country's largest religious political party, Jamaat-e-Islami. The participants waved Palestinian flags and wore keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian scarf, to express their solidarity with the Palestinians. The party's leader in Karachi, Hafiz Naeem Ur Rehman, called on the United States to stop backing Israel and compensate Palestinians for their losses. He also criticized Muslim leaders and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for not doing enough to help end the war. Rehman stated that resolutions would not solve the problem and called for support of South Africa's legal action against Israel for alleged genocide in Gaza.
Karachi resident Ishrat Zahid criticized Muslim leaders for not protesting and peacefully sleeping in their homes while the conflict in Gaza continued. He expressed his support for the Palestinians and highlighted the importance of showing solidarity during these difficult times.
In London, thousands of people gathered in the heart of the city to demand the freedom of the remaining hostages taken by Hamas militants in the October attacks. The demonstration had a strong presence and featured posters with the words '100 days in hell' to express solidarity with Israel. Ayelet Svatitzky, the sister of one hostage who remains in captivity, emphasized the urgent need for their release, fearing for her brother's well-being. The protest in London followed a global day of action involving 30 countries, where pro-Palestinian protesters called for a permanent cease-fire in the conflict.
In Paris, France, several hundred protesters held placards with the faces of Israeli hostages and sang for their release. Motorcyclists also joined a ride to express their support for Israel, waving flags and sporting stickers of the Israeli hostages on their bikes. In Cyprus, protesters outside a British air force base called for the end of the 'siege of Gaza' and handed authorities a petition demanding an end to the alleged transfer of arms to Israel.
In Istanbul, Turkey, approximately 2,000 people marched while waving Palestinian and Turkish flags, paying homage to nine Turkish soldiers who were killed in northern Iraq. Demonstrations organized by Turkey's Humanitarian Relief Foundation were also held in other Turkish cities, linking the war in Gaza to hostilities in Iraq.
Even at the Vatican, Pope Francis addressed the issue of modern warfare, describing it as a 'crime against humanity' that sows death among civilians and destroys cities and infrastructure. The Pope urged people not to forget those who suffer the cruelty of war, specifically mentioning Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel.
The demonstrations worldwide demonstrate the strong emotions and concerns surrounding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. People from different countries and backgrounds are coming together to express their opinions, demand justice, and show solidarity with the affected parties. These demonstrations serve as a reminder of the need for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Middle East.
