Thousands gathered in central London for a pro-Palestine march, urging an end to Israel's Gaza blockade. Starting at Marble Arch and ending at Parliament Square via Whitehall, protesters waved flags and chanted "Free Palestine." The Metropolitan Police estimated around 100,000 attendees.
A protester expressed her longing for her homeland, and another compared Gaza's situation to the Second World War. Despite minor disruptions, the march remained mostly peaceful. Rumors of Islamic State flags were clarified as declarations of Islamic faith.
Chants of "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" stirred controversy. Rallies also occurred in other UK cities, with the BBC facing criticism for alleged bias in its Israel-Hamas conflict coverage.
A viral video showed a London tube driver leading a "free, free Palestine" chant. Minister for London Paul Scully advised staff to focus on their duties.
Tensions in Gaza surged after Hamas attacks on October 7, resulting in over 1,400 deaths in Israel and more than 4,100 in Gaza, according to Palestine's health ministry.