THOUSANDS of people are set to take to the streets to be part of pro-Palestine protests happening across the UK on Saturday.
Israel has stepped up its offensive on Gaza with heavy bombardment overnight.
Internet and phone communications appear to have been lost, largely cutting off the 2.3 million population from contact with each other and the outside world.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said that he is no longer able to contact his parents-in-law, who have been trapped in Gaza since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
In Scotland, protests are planned in the following towns and cities at 2pm on Saturday.
- Glasgow, George Square
- Edinburgh, Princes Street at the foot of The Mound
- Dundee, City Square
- Aberdeen, St Nicholas Square
- Stirling, the steps in front of the Thistles Shopping Centre
- Greenock, Clyde Square
- Forres, Forres High Street
Police expect around 100,000 people to join a demonstration in London demanding an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The United Nations has said Israel’s continued bombardment and the loss of communications will prevent aid from reaching Palestinians in Gaza.
On Friday, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza.
The UK abstained from the vote.
Israel says it is targeting Hamas fighters who it claims are operating from among civilians.
The UK Government is calculating that about 200 British nationals remain in Gaza.
The Hamas-controlled Gazan health ministry has said that more than 7000 people have died, as calls for a ceasefire grow among UK politicians.
The First Minister has been joined by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan in calling for an immediate ceasefire.
However, Keir Starmer said he supports the UK Government’s position of advocating for “humanitarian pauses” and that the party's official position has not changed.
Downing Street has said that a ceasefire would “only benefit Hamas” and continues to back Israel’s right to self-defence despite concerns about Palestinian civilians being killed in the conflict.
