Hundreds rally in Geneva in support of Palestine

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the UN's Geneva office on Monday in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people and to strongly denounce Israel's attacks on Gaza.

They carried Palestinian flags and chanted slogans in support of Palestine.

The protesters also unfurled a banner reading "Stop the genocide in Gaza" and laid roses on the ground for Palestinian victims.

The demonstration, which took place under heavy rain, lasted for about two hours.

The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since Oct. 7 has risen to 8,306, the Health Ministry in the besieged Palestinian enclave said on Monday, including 3,457 children and 2,136 women.

Israel has heavily bombarded Gaza since Oct. 7, when the Palestinian group Hamas carried out a surprise cross-border attack.

At least 1,538 Israelis have been killed since the outbreak of the Gaza war, public broadcaster KAN said on Monday.

Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari announced Saturday that the army is "expanding its operations" and moving to the "next phase of our war against Hamas."

Gaza's 2.3 million residents are also grappling with shortages of food, water, fuel and medicine due to Israel’s blockade of the enclave. Only a handful of aid trucks have crossed into Gaza since the opening of the Rafah crossing point on Oct. 21.