Hundreds in US protest Israeli attacks on Gaza Strip

By Mucahit Oktay

Hundreds of people held protests in New York and Washington, D.C. on Saturday, demanding the cessation of Israel's renewed attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Gathering around Central Park in New York and marching to Times Square, the demonstrators carried banners criticizing the Israeli and US governments' policies toward Gaza.

Activists called for a "permanent ceasefire" in Gaza.

During the protest, which lasted for hours, people criticized the US policy on the issue and chanted slogans such as "Ceasefire now", "Enough is enough" and "Free Palestine."

In Washington, D.C., a demonstration was held in front of White House, with protesters chanting slogans in favor of Palestine and holding US President Joe Biden and his administration responsible for Israeli attacks on Gaza.

In the demonstration, themed “Death,” a group of activists left shrouded dolls in front of the White House railings in memory of the children who lost their lives in Israeli attacks.

The Israeli army resumed bombing the Gaza Strip early Friday after declaring an end to a week-long humanitarian pause.

At least 193 Palestinians have been killed and 652 injured since Friday in Israeli airstrikes, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

More than 15,200 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have been killed in Israeli attacks since Oct. 7 following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz