Calls for Permanent Ceasefire Intensify in Global Protests
The Israel-Hamas conflict has been ongoing for around seven weeks, and tensions are escalating worldwide. Demonstrations took place over the weekend in Canada and the UK, where thousands of individuals called for a "complete ceasefire."
London and Ottawa Protests
In London, tens of thousands took to the streets, marching through the city center to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. "The occupation must end. We need a complete ceasefire, not a four-day truce," said 24-year-old Alaa Hassan. Meanwhile, in Ottawa, thousands gathered in front of parliament and waved Palestinian flags.
Jara Shufani, one of the protest organizers in Ottawa, stated, "A pause is not enough. Thousands of Palestinians have been killed, and Gaza's infrastructure has been destroyed." The protests were peaceful in both cities, with no reported incidents of violence at this time. Approximately 1,500 police officers were deployed in London, with 500 officers called in from other parts of the country to maintain order.
Ceasefire Agreement
Israel and Hamas reached a four-day ceasefire agreement on Wednesday following negotiations mediated by Qatar, the USA, and Egypt. The agreement includes the release of a total of 50 Israeli hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners. The ceasefire is intended to provide for a temporary respite from the ongoing hostilities, but many argue that it falls short of solving the underlying issues.
Conflict Overview
The conflict began on 7 October when hundreds of fighters from the terrorist organization Hamas launched an invasion into Israel and committed atrocities against civilians, including women and children. According to Israeli estimates, around 1,200 people were killed, and approximately 240 people were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip. As a response, Israel launched massive attacks on the Gaza Strip from the air and ground.
Hamas claims that over 14,800 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the Israeli retaliation. The ensuing hostilities have left thousands dead and have resulted in significant damage to Gaza's infrastructure.
Global Response
Countries around the world have been expressing their concerns over the ongoing conflict and calling for a permanent solution. The U.S., the EU, Germany, the UK, Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia have issued statements of support for the ceasefire and urged both Israel and Hamas to comply with the agreement fully.
International organizations and world leaders have welcomed the ceasefire as a positive step towards resolving the conflict and improving the humanitarian situation in the region. However, the road to lasting peace remains uncertain, with numerous challenges and disagreements to overcome before a permanent solution can be achieved.
