Hundreds of Pakistanis gathered in various parts of the country to protest against Israel’s siege and intense bombings on the Gaza Strip. The protesters called for an end to the oppression of the Palestinian people.
The recent conflict between Israel and Gaza has led to severe bombings by the Israeli military. Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, is under siege, and the local authorities have reported over 1,500 Palestinian casualties.
Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas, but a ground invasion of Gaza presents serious risks as Hamas holds scores of hostages. The Israeli death toll has risen to more than 1,300.
The United Nations has urged Israel to revoke its order for all civilians in Gaza City, which amounts to over one million people, to relocate south within 24 hours. The UN warns of devastating humanitarian consequences.
Israel’s attacks on Gaza have sparked protests in various countries, including Paris, New York, Jordan, Morocco, Iraq, and Iran.
After Friday prayers, Pakistanis from all walks of life held rallies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of Punjab. The demonstrators proudly displayed Palestinian flags and carried posters proclaiming solidarity and freedom for Palestine. Israeli flags were burned.
In Lahore, a large rally was held at Mall Road by the Jamaat e Islami Pakistan, with the participation of women and children. The protesters demanded that Muslim countries unite in support of Palestine and criticized the support for Israel from the US and European countries.
In Karachi, supporters of the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen and Jamaat e Islami also held protests after Friday prayers. They called for an immediate end to the atrocities faced by the people of Gaza at the hands of Israel.
Protest rallies were also held in the Malakand and Hazara divisions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with demands for the United Nations to intervene and stop the genocide of Palestinians.
Similar protests took place in Quetta, Islamabad, and other cities across Pakistan.
The demonstrations aimed to raise awareness about the dire situation in Palestine and to show solidarity with the Palestinians in their struggle for freedom and justice.