Paris: Tens of thousands rallied in Paris on Saturday to show support for Palestinians in Gaza, as protesters accused Israel of violating a US-brokered ceasefire and demanded tougher international action amid soaring death tolls and ongoing restrictions on aid. Gaza's health ministry, run by Hamas, reported that more than 70,000 people have been killed since the war began.
According to France24.com, protests were also held in London, Geneva, Rome, and Lisbon. As the UN marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that the killing of civilians, the repeated displacement of entire populations, and obstruction of humanitarian aid should never be acceptable. He noted that the October ceasefire agreement offers hope, and the adoption of the resolution on Gaza by the Security Council is an important step in its consolidation.
A crowd-estimated at 50,000 by organizers and 8,400 by Paris police-marched from Place de la R©publique to Place de la Nation, chanting slogans and waving Palestinian flags. Several left-wing politicians, including France Unbowed leader Jean-Luc M©lenchon, joined the march. Anne Tuaillon, head of the France Palestine Solidarity Association, criticized the ceasefire as a smokescreen, accusing Israel of daily violations and calling for a permanent ceasefire and an end to what she described as genocide.
Under the US-brokered truce, Israeli forces have pulled back inside the Gaza Strip, controlling more than half the territory. However, the pause in fighting remains fragile, with both sides accusing each other of daily breaches. Tuaillon emphasized the need for sanctions as a way to make Israel respect international law, condemning the acceleration of settlement expansion in the West Bank and record levels of settler violence.
Saleha, a 72-year-old participant, expressed her frustration over the situation in Gaza, describing it as total impunity. Bertrand, a 42-year-old IT technician, highlighted the ongoing violence, citing videos of an Israeli raid in Jenin. He stressed the importance of continued pressure through economic sanctions and public mobilization.
